Breaking News: Issa Hayatou responds to claims made by BBC Panorama
Issa Hayatou, FIFA’s vice president who has been recently accused by BBC Panorama of taking bribes in exchange for votes and favours inside the FIFA framework has come out and defending himself in face of increased criticism by the English
media. England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup is believed to be under threat following BBC’s ambitious reporting against FIFA’s possible corruption circles. However, Issa was quite fair in his comments to the media as he distanced the 2018 English bid from BBC’s
investigation.
Nonetheless, Issa has threatened that he might take legal action against BBC after they accused him of taking 10,000 pounds in bribe in 1995. The Panorama investigative report suggests that Issa has been involved in other corrupt activities
as well. Issa has explained himself as he said that he took the money as a donation to CAF’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
FIFA’s vice president said, "There is a big difference between Panorama and my relationship with the England bid, there is no confusion in my mind." Elaborating on the accusations by Panorama he added, "This money was not for me it was
for the 40th anniversary of CAF. What Panorama also did is that they are saying I have been bribed now rather than something that happened 16 years ago. This was for the 40th anniversary of CAF. At that time ISL was the sponsor of CAF and they give the money
to CAF and not to me, and the executive committee of CAF accepted it and approved it."
Issa went onto say, "I have got an appointment with my lawyers, I will talk to them and I will take it from there." Panorama also accused the International Olympic Committee of corruption; these allegations have prompted a response from
IOC as well. IOC said in their recent statement, "The IOC has taken note of the allegations made by BBC Panorama and will ask the programme makers to pass on any evidence they may have to the appropriate authorities. The IOC has a zero tolerance against corruption
and will refer the matter to the IOC ethics commission."
BBC Panorama’s spokesman has come out and stated that the claims will be put on hold for now because of growing adversity from the English government. He said, "We stand by our allegations. Mr Hayatou now seems to be saying that there
is an innocent explanation for the payment from ISL. However, when Panorama wrote to him repeatedly and approached him in person offering him an opportunity to put his side of the story, he offered no explanation. In fact, he chose not to respond at all in
the lead-up to the broadcast. Panorama did not allege that Mr Hayatou is currently being bribed."
Tags: