Asian Football Confederation investigation continues

The Asian Football Confederation's investigation into alleged infringements of the AFC Statutes, the AFC Disciplinary Code, and the AFC Code of Ethics by its ex-president Mohamed bin Hammam is ongoing.

A 30-day provisional suspension was imposed on Mr. Bin Hammam on July 16, 2012, followed by a 20-day extension.

Mr. Bin Hammam's appeal against this provisional suspension was dismissed by the AFC Appeals Committee Chairman on August 17, 2012.

The provisional suspension ended on September 4, 2012.

However, Mr. Bin Hammam continues to remain suspended from taking part in any kind of football activity by virtue of FIFA's 90-day worldwide provisional ban, which came into effect on July 26, 2012.

AFC's disciplinary proceedings will commence after the investigation is completed.

AFC extends ex-president bin Hammam suspension

The Chairman of the Asian Football Confederations's Disciplinary Committee, Lim Kia Tong on Wednesday, August 15 has extended the provisional suspension of ex-AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam by 20 days.

Mr. bin Hammam was suspended on July 16 for 30 days pursuant to Articles 129 and 22 of the Disciplinary Code from taking part in any kind of football activity (administrative, sports or any other) in the area of jurisdiction of the Asian Football Confederation.

The alleged infringements include Article 6 of the AFC Statutes (Conduct of Bodies and Officials), Article 62 of the AFC Disciplinary Code (Corruption) and Articles 3 (General Rules), 5 (Conflict of Interest), 9 (Fiduciary Duty and Confidentiality), 10 (Accepting Gifts and Benefits), 11 (Bribery) and 12 (Commission) of the AFC Code of Ethics.


Here the link to the earlier article: AFC president Jilong seeks cooperation from MAs in investigation .

AFC president Jilong seeks cooperation from MAs in investigation

The Asian Football Confederation Acting President Zhang Jilong has written to AFC's 46 Member Associations, seeking their full cooperation in the investigation, which is currently underway to determine breaches of the AFC Code of Ethics possibly committed by former president Mohammed bin Hammam.

The AFC Disciplinary Committee had opened disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Bin Hammam and banned him from any football related activity on 16 July, following the receipt of an independent financial report presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services (PwC) dated July 13, 2012. FIFA has since extended the ban worldwide besides initiating its own investigation into possible breaches of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

Mr Jilong wrote, "The provisional ban imposed on Mr. Bin Hammam is the first step within the framework of AFC disciplinary proceedings initiated to clear up the events in question. A further, and very essential, part of the proceedings is an investigation carried out by the secretariat of the AFC Disciplinary Committee, which aims at establishing all relevant facts and collecting incriminating or exonerating evidence."

"In this context, we would like to inform you that the Chairman of the AFC Disciplinary Committee has directed the secretariat to engage a worldwide highly renowned investigation company, Freeh Group International Solutions LLC ("Freeh Group"), to assist and support in the secretariat's investigation. This engagement has become necessary due to the specific complexity of the case."

The AFC Acting President sought the cooperation of the Member Associations and underlined that the investigation was not targeted against anyone in particular but aimed at establishing the truth.

"We would like to point out that it is crucial that the Freeh Group receive unconditional and unreserved support and cooperation by all AFC Officials, bodies, and Member Associations," wrote Jilong.

"The proceedings presently relevant are not about incriminating or discrediting certain persons but aim at establishing the truth and, on a broader scale, at safeguarding the integrity and interests of football under the AFC's jurisdiction."

"It is of utmost importance that the investigation is carried out in an unimpaired and neutral manner. The Freeh Group has AFC's unreserved trust that it will do so, and it is therefore vital that any entity or person deemed of interest by the Freeh Group fully cooperates."

"In this context, we would like to remind each Member Association once again of their obligation to comply with AFC Regulations as well as of their duty of loyalty towards AFC at any time (Article 11 (1) (a) and (i) of the AFC Statutes). From this obligation results a specific duty to fully cooperate in the context of this investigation and to refrain from any actions, which might interfere."

Jilong concluded by emphasising AFC's unshakeable resolve to protect the integrity of AFC.

"We would like to reaffirm AFC's commitment to clearing up the events and circumstances presently relevant and to draw the necessary consequences. We would like to thank you for your continued support in protecting the integrity of AFC and football as a whole."

Good governance stressed by AFC ExCo

The Asian Football Confederation's Executive Committee, chaired by AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong, took a series of important decisions on Thursday, shaping the future of Asian football and improving the governance of the confederation.

The report of the AFC Ad-hoc Evaluation Committee and the suspension of former AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam were discussed at length and a majority of the members voiced their support for President Jilong and pledged their interest in reforming AFC and preventing the abuse of official positions.

Acting President Jilong referred to the disciplinary proceedings against the former President in his opening address and stressed the importance of turning over a new chapter.

"I think this development also makes one thing very clear to all of us - there is no place for unethical practices anymore in AFC," said Jilong.

"I ask this ExCo to prevent any abuse of power and misuse of privileges by any office-bearer. I ask this ExCo not to allow anyone to compromise the image of AFC."

Jilong explained the process by which the matter had been referred to the AFC Disciplinary Committee.

"We set up an Evaluation Committee under Kohzo Tashima-san with three main points of reference. Firstly, to fight corruption, secondly, to improve the AFC administration; and thirdly, to promote financial transparency," said Jilong.

"We have already taken the first step in this tough task. Our independent auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) have submitted their report."

"And, in accordance with the AFC Code of Ethics, this report was immediately forwarded through the AFC General Secretary to the Honorable Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee."

"The AFC Disciplinary Committee is a completely independent judicial body. They don't report to this ExCo or the AFC Congress. It is headed by a highly experienced and respected lawyer Lim Kia Tong and I have full confidence in the Chairman and his committee. I am confident that we will have a fair, transparent and impartial process."

The members were informed that the provisional suspension of Bin Hammam would last for 30 days from the time of suspension while investigations into the allegations of unethical practices continued.

The members discussed the recommendations of the standing committees and gave their approval for their implementation.

Bin Hammam & Warner suspended by FIFA

The much awaited hearing of top FIFA officials by the FIFA Ethics Committee was held yesterday in Zurich. And after the hearing the committee announced that executive committee members Mohammed bin Hammam and Jack Warner have been provisionally suspended, while its president Joseph S. Blatter has been cleared of any wrong doing.

After the suspension the football governing body will now open a full investigation into allegations that financial incentives were offered to members of the Caribbean Football Union by Mr. bin Hammam on advice from Jack Warner at a meeting organised by Jack Warner in Trinidad on May 10/11. Mr. bin Hammam had confessed that he had taken care of the costs involved (flights, accommodation) for the CFU members, but had not done anything else wrong.

Now the issue which has hit FIFA is that Jack Warner is said to have advised Mr. bin Hammam to pay incentives to CFU members to vote for him. Depending on importance and size these football associations was offered between 10,000 to 40,000 USD. Mr. bin Hamman is said to have arrived with 1 Million USD in cash stacked in bundles of 10,000 USD and what was supposed to happen to the rest of the cash is unknown, but likely an incentive for Jack Warner to have organised the meeting.

Jack Warner had told everyone to keep the payment a secret, but there have been whistle blowers amongst the CFU members who passed on the information to executive member Chuck Blazer from the United States who in turn informed FIFA headquarters.

Interestingly Mr. bin Hammam claimed that Sepp Blatter knew about what was going on Trinidad, but didn't step in while it isn't clear if Jack Warner had spoken about the incentive with Sepp Blatter.


For the Asian Football Confederation president and until yesterday FIFA presidency contestant Mohammed bin Hammam the whole verdict is not unstandable as he fails to understand how despite him not being found guilty, he has been suspended.

"I have been referred to the Ethics Committee based on evidence which was strong enough in the views of the FIFA General Secretary for such procedure. However, the Ethics Committee in it's meeting did not find this evidence sufficient to convict me. Consequently, I should have been given the benefit of doubt but instead, I have been banned from all football activities."

And it seems FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke is the man whom Mr. bin Hammam is blaming for the whole situation as he added, "I have been given the impression that the Ethics Committee is absolutely an independent committee, but in the press conference we have seen today, the General Secretary made clear that he is the one who has the influence in this Committee."

"I'm very disappointed about the way the status of the proceeding has been presented at the media conference. I am expecting that this will continue. This is not how I understand fair play. I’m reserving all my rights," added Mr. bin Hammam.

The other accused Jack Warner claimed that, at the CONCACAF Congress on May 3 in Miami, Blatter gave "a gift of 1 million USD to CONCACAF to spend as it deems fit" despite the "annoyance" of UEFA president Michel Platini.

Warner alleged that Valcke silenced Platini's protestations by insisting he would "find the money for Mr Blatter" although the payment was not authorized by the Finance Committee. Warner further alleged that Blatter gave the CFU "gifts of laptops and projectors" on May 10.

Further Warner has said that in private conversations Jerome Valcke has suggested that Qatar had bought the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said at the FIFA organised press conference that the FIFA presidential election would go ahead as planned on June 1, with incumbent Sepp Blatter now running unopposed. And when asked by journalists Jerome Valcke added only the FIFA Congress could postpone the presidential elections.

Is seems we will have three interesting days ahead of us...

Mohammed Bin Hamman withdraws from FIFA presidential race

The president of the Asian Football Confederation Mohammed bin Hammam about an hour ago at around midnight GMT officially withdrew his candidature for the presidency of world football governing body FIFA. The rumours have been making rounds since yesterday afternoon that Mr. bin Hammam could be on the verge of pulling out.

In an official press release Mr. bin Hammam stated that he was pulling out not to damage the reputation of FIFA and his own any further though it still isn't clear what happened in the background to justify such a drastic step.


Here the full STATEMENT from Mohammed bin Hamman

I made the decision to run for the FIFA presidency because I was and remain committed to change within FIFA.

I set out my goals and ambitions clearly - to further the cause of democracy within FIFA - through a commitment to transparency and accountability; through a commitment to expand the number of officials and nations involved in decision-making processes.
In addition to this, I wanted to spark a debate about change in FIFA. For the good of football, I wanted the future to be bright for our world’s governing body and for it to adapt to the ever-changing world we live in today.
However, recent events have left me hurt and disappointed - on a professional and personal level.
It saddens me that standing up for the causes that I believed in has come at a great price – the degradation of FIFA’s reputation. This is not what I had in mind for FIFA and this is unacceptable.
I cannot allow the name that I loved to be dragged more and more in the mud because of competition between two individuals.

The game itself and the people who love it around the world must come first.
It is for this reason that I announce my withdrawal from the presidential election.
I will not put my personal ambition ahead of FIFA's dignity and integrity.

Besides, I believe my candidacy has been a catalyst for debate within FIFA and has brought change to the top of the agenda.
I pray that my withdrawal will not be tied to the investigation held by the FIFA Ethics Committee as I will appear before the Ethics Committee to clear my name from the baseless allegations that have been made against me.

I promise those who stood by me that I will walk with my head held high and will continue to fight for the good of the game.
I would like to offer my thanks and appreciation to all Member Associations and individuals who supported me. I hope that they will not receive my decision with disappointment and frustration.

I have a special thank you to my friend and colleague Jack Warner for his unlimited support. I am sorry to see that he has to suffer because of me, but I am promising him that I will be with him all the way through thick and thin.
I look forward to working closely with my colleagues to restore FIFA’s reputation to what it should be - a protector of the game that has credibility through honesty, transparency and accountability.

FIFA elections: Bin Hammam banks on AIFF vote

June 1, 2011 will see the election for the post of the most power man in world football, the FIFA president. Current FIFA president Joseph S. Blatter from Switzerland will be facing competition from Qatari Mohammed bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation.

The 61 year old Mohammed bin Hammam in his capacity as AFC president was in New Delhi last week to update himself on the latest in Indian football as well as speak to the heads of the South Asian Football Federation which represents the eight nations of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

But Mr. bin Hammam also made a stopover in India to discuss his election campaign to replace Sepp Blatter and try to secure the eight south Asian votes, which all are crucial if he is to become FIFA president as every FIFA member has only one vote. So if Brazil or Bhutan does not make a difference.

"I have always had a good relationship with the All India Football Federation and Praful Patel is like a brother to me," Mr. bin Hammam told the media while in New Delhi as he seemed sure of the Indian vote.

What FIFA president Sepp Blatter thinks about such a bin Hammam statement and what the views of the AIFF are on this issue isn't known, then not only bin Hamman as AFC president but also Sepp Blatter as FIFA president have both shown their interest in Indian football and have been pushing for years for its development. If Sepp Blatter winning would have a negative effect on such development projects would have to be seen.

And Mr. bin Hammam reiterated by saying, "This will be an Asian Project. I'm representing all of you in this continent. I wish that everyone of you pray that Asia will succeed in giving a FIFA president this time. This will be for Asia."

I-League: 14 team league, PSU sides to stay!

I had kept a question mark last night behind my article 'PSU sides out of I-League?' because as per my information it hadn't been fully decided if the three 'Public Sector Undertaking' clubs - Air India, ONGC and HAL, would be allowed to stay in the I-league or would be thrown out, while the Indian media reported that a final decision had been taken and the clubs had been thrown out.

This was clarified by the AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam at a press conference in New Delhi today, where he said, "The committee has decided to accept all the 14 teams in the next edition of the Indian Professional League. However, there are four teams (HAL, ONGC, Air India, Indian Arrows) who have just not met one criteria for commercial entity. The eligibility for these four teams has been extended by one year."

This did come as a surprise as many where of the expectations that the AFC would maintain their stand of wanting a real professional I-League in the 2011/12 season. But that under these circumstances will not be the case as the league remains semi-professional even terming it professional.

The Indian Professional Football Ad-hoc committee discussed and decided following key points: composition of the I-League, time-line to set up the I-League 2011-2012 season, the registration of I-League clubs and the I-League organisation.

Following the last meeting of the committee last September a thorough and wide-ranging inspection of all I-League clubs was conducted in October/November 2010 by an AFC Professional Football Project Special Mission Team, and the members, after discussing the report presented to them, approved the composition of the I-League first division with 10 clubs that have met the criteria and decided to give a waiver to four clubs, which have failed to meet the requirements.

The 10 clubs, which complied with the I-League criteria, are: 1. Mohun Bagan AC (Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata), 2. East Bengal Club (Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata), 3. Chirag United SC (Barasat Stadium, Kolkata - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 4. Viva Kerala (Jawahar Stadium, Kannur - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 5. Mumbai FC (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai - to improve the stadium facilities by July 2011), 6. JCT FC (Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana), 7. Pune FC (Balewadi Stadium, Pune), 8. Churchill Brothers SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao), 9. Dempo SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao), 10. Salgaocar SC (Nehru Stadium, Margao).

The members also recommended that three clubs - ONGC (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai), Air India (Cooperage Ground, Mumbai) and HAL (Bangalore Football Stadium) – who failed to meet the 'commercial entity’ criteria, and also Indian Arrows (Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi) be given a grace period of one season in the first division on the condition that if any one of them wins the I-League or finishes second or third, they will not be eligible to represent India in the AFC Champions League.

It was further suggested that the top two second division teams would be eligible for promotion to the first division only if they satisfied the professional league criteria. In case they fail to meet the criteria then there would be no relegation of any club from the first division, which would continue with the same 14 teams.

The members agreed to a proposal that the deadline for the clubs to improve their stadiums would be July 2011, following which another inspection of the clubs would be undertaken between July to September 2011. Thereafter, the I-League's 2011/12 season would kick off on September 2011.

The committee proposed that the I-League regulations should be revised to ban the registration and participation of I-League clubs in other leagues other than the I-League and that I-League club players should not be allowed to register with any other club other than I-League clubs. This would mean no I-League sides in the Calcutta Premier Division or Goa Professional League.

With all the matches at present being organised by the local Football Association (state or district), the committee proposed that the clubs should start implementing the home match operations - including and not limited to ticket sales, match operations and security. This would mean that all the clubs would have to create new jobs and positions within their system to run such match day operations.

Indian Pro Football Committee meeting today

The Asian Football Confederation constituted Ad-hoc committee for Indian Professional Football will hold its next meeting later today in New Delhi as AFC president Mohammed bin Hammam is currently in the capital on a two day trip.

The AFC president is in Delhi to update himself personally with the progress of Indian football and also speak about his candidature for FIFA president. The last time Mohammed bin Hammam was in Delhi was in September 2010 for similar talks and he also attended the 'Football Players Association of India' awards.

Mr. bin Hammam will chair the committee meeting as its chairman with AIFF president Praful Patel his deputy. Also attending will be new FIFA Executive Committee member Manilal Fernando from Sri Lanka as well as officials from the AIFF and members from I-League clubs, who are part of the committee.

The key topic of discussion will be the 2011/12 season of the I-League with the structure and size of the league plus if all clubs have fulfilled the criteria or not. The latest info is that HAL, Air India and ONGC continue not to comply with the AFC Club Licensing Criteria due to being Public Sector Unit clubs, which would mean that they would not be allowed to be part of next seasons I-League.

If a final decision would be taken today and what effects it would have on relegation and promotion is not known at this moment, but it could make the relegation race redundent and maybe up to three teams could get promoted from the second division, if the three above mentioned clubs lose their place in the I-League.

Bin Hammam to contest FIFA top job elections

The president of the Asian Football Confederation Mohamed bin Hammam today officially announced his candidature for the post of FIFA president. Bin Hammam held at the headquarters of the AFC in Kuala Lumpur a press conference to end weeks of speculation if the AFC president would challenge incumbent Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential elections on June 1, 2011 in Zurich.

The 61 year old Qataris administrative career stated early at the age of 24 as the president of local Qatari club Al Rayyan, he went on to become the Qatar Football Association president in 1992 before becoming a member of the FIFA Executive Committee in 1996 and has been president of the Asian Football Confederation since August 2002. Bin Hammam has also headed the volleyball and tennis federations of his country.

Bin Hammam has brought about a lot of change within Asian football over the last decade. When he took over the charge at the AFC in 2002 it was an amateur body with a base in Kuala Lumpur. Now the AFC Champions League is a thriving continental club championship just like the AFC Asian Cup, creating competitions for nations who developing and with Vision Asia has started a program to overlook the overall development of football and its professionalisation across the continent.

He wants to take all this to FIFA if he is made the president as he is seeing the game drifting away from its roots and its base - the footballer and the fans.


Outlining his election manifesto bin Hammam said, "I will always put in mind and consider among other things the diversity of the interests and the views of different football stake holders; member associations, clubs, leagues, players and officials; the demands from the public to keep FIFA and football organisations above accusations and suspicion of negative practice; the demands of the public to create an absolute, ethical, democratic and transparent environment within FIFA; the necessity for strong unity and solidarity among member associations; the need for fair distribution of World Cup revenues between the different stake holders, taking into consideration that FIFA must build sufficient reserves to help it through difficult times and the principal of solidarity must pervade for all of our stakeholders. I will always put into consideration the need and the requirement of economically underprivileged member associations to have more technical and financial support to enable them to close the gap between their nations and those of the advanced football nations."

He also proposed the formation of a FIFA Board in place of the existing FIFA Executive Committee, if elected, and increase the number of seats for all the confederations.

"I propose UEFA gets four more seats, CAF four more seats, Asia four more seats, CONCACAF three more seats, CONMEBOL one more seat and OFC one more seat. A new executive committee will be coming, 40 members plus the president is 41 and it will avoid as much as possible for the privilege of the casting vote going to the president," he said.

"I will rename the Executive Committee the FIFA Board and will transfer all the duties and the responsibilities of the Executive Committee as it is today to the FIFA Board. I will establish an Executive Office. The President of FIFA will be the Chairman and the six presidents of the six confederations will be the members of this office. This office will be responsible to execute the decision of the Board. Collectively and jointly, the President of FIFA and the Presidents of the confederations will be responsible for executing the decisions of the FIFA Board."

"Secondly, I will decentralise the activities of the FIFA administration. The legal matters, like the statutes and international transfers, and statutory issues can be handled directly by the confederations under the supervision of their executive bodies."

"I will establish a Transparency Committee. FIFA has an Ethical Committee checking acts after they happen. The Transparency Committee is going to be sure that all the acts of FIFA are sufficiently transparent to the public before they take place."

"I also propose to increase the financial assistance to the member associations from US$250,000 to US$500,000 per year and I also propose that the budget of the Goal Project, for each project, to be increased up to US$1 million per project."


Ambitious aims if bin Hammam becomes FIFA president, but now the interesting phase begins on who can garner as many votes possible from the 208 member nations and territories.


Here a link to the video of:
the complete Mohamed bin Hamman press conference .

VIDEO: AFC president bin Hamman interview

Soccerex held its first ever Asian Forum in Singapore last week. And Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed bin Hammam was interview by Matt Lorenzo about different issues.

It is an interesting interview to watch with a lot of insights. Enjoy!