FIFA vow ‘zero tolerance’ of corruption

October 26, 2010

Fifa has said it will not tolerate unethical behaviour in the race to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“Fifa and the ethics committee are committed to zero tolerance for any breach,” read a statement.

“[We] are determined to protect the integrity of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process.”

The response followed the Sunday Times posting a film of Zen-Ruffinen – who was the organisation’s general secretary from 1998 until he left in 2002 after accusing president Sepp Blatter of mismanagement – in which he appeared to suggest that 2018 bidder Spain/Portugal and 2022 hopeful Qatar had struck a deal to exchange votes. Both bidders have denied all allegations of collusion.

Four other Fifa officials – Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Ismael Bhamjee – have also been provisionally suspended from taking part in any football-related activity.

“Fifa will provide all of the information collected on this matter to the ethics committee,” the statement added. “Fifa has immediately requested to receive all the documents and potential evidence that the newspaper has in relation to this matter, and will in any case analyse the material available.”