A former member of FIFA’s executive committee was yesterday accused of making payments totaling US$5 million to senior soccer officials in return for support for Qatar’s successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.
British newspaper the Sunday Times said it has obtained millions of secret documents proving that Mohamed Bin Hammam, a Qatari who used to be FIFA vice president, was lobbying on his country’s behalf ahead of the vote in December 2010.
Under a front-page headline of “Plot to buy the World Cup,” the newspaper alleged that Bin Hammam made dozens of payments to top soccer officials in Africa, as well as Reynald Temarii and Jack Warner, the former FIFA executive committee members for Oceania and CONCACAF.
The allegations come less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Brazil and bring fresh scrutiny on the 2010 vote, which is under investigation by FIFA’s independent ethics prosecutor.
The Times said that Bin Hamman declined to respond to the allegations and that members of Qatar’s bid committee denied any link to the former FIFA official.
Qatari organizers did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ request for comment.
Bin Hammam, one of the most controversial figures in FIFA’s recent history, is no longer a committee member of world soccer’s governing body after being caught up in a corruption scandal surrounding his failed campaign for its presidency in 2011.
However, the Sunday Times is alleging that he exploited his position at the heart of FIFA when he was an executive committee member to help to secure votes from key members of its 24-man ruling committee that helped Qatar win the right to host the World Cup.
The Times said Bin Hammam used 10 slush funds controlled by his private firm and cash handouts to make dozens of payments of up to US$200,000 into accounts controlled by the presidents of 30 African soccer associations who influenced how the continent’s four executive members would vote.
He also allegedly hosted lavish junkets for them at which he handed out almost US$400,000 in cash.
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