Fifa senior official Reynald Temarii pleads innocence – reports
On the eve of facing a disciplinary hearing over the World Cup cash-for-votes scandal which broke over the weekend, Tahiti's Reynald Temarii has insisted that he is innocent - according to reports.
Insideworldfootball.biz claim that the Fifa senior official is adamant his quotes were taken out of context by the Sunday Times, and add that Temarii won’t leave his position on the executive committee by his own accord.
"I have no intention of resigning and have asked for a personal hearing in front of the Ethics Committee," Temarii is quoted by Insideworldfootball in Zurich. "That's why I have stayed on."
"I am one hundred per cent convinced of my integrity."
However, after being filmed by the Sunday broadsheet, Temarii, chairman of Fifa’s Technical and Development Committee, has a difficult task on his hands to convince the governing body’s ethics committee of his innocence.
Journalists exposed Nigeria's Amos Adamu and Temarii for discussing the prospect of casting votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals in exchange for sizeable sums of cash – less than two months before the hosts of 2018’s major tournament is announced by Fifa’s executive committee.
A statement from Fifa confirmed: "Investigations are ongoing in relation to other Fifa officials who may have been involved in the issue in question.
"An investigation has also been opened into the member associations in question as well as their bid committees."
The Sunday Times alleged that Temarii asked for £1.5million to fund a sports academy, but the under-fire 43-year-old is intent on defending his reputation.
"I have certain elements which I believe will prove my innocence," he said. "I will prove I am an honest man."
"The Ethics Committee will tell me if I am right or wrong."
Temarii claims that only a small segment of the video was broadcast, resulting in his words being taken out of context.
On his profile on Fifa’s official website, the last question asks him: "What has been your biggest disappointment in football?"
"None. I only have good memories," Temarii responds.
That was until Sunday, anyway.
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