"The money wasn't for me" - FIFA's Issa Hayatou
FIFA vice president Issa Hayatou has slammed the claims made in the Panorama documentary and threatened with legal action against the BBC. In the documentary, the channel has accused Hayatou of taking a bribe of 10,000 Euros. The president of African football however has denied the allegations. He insists that the money was received on behalf of the Confederation of African Football for the 40th anniversary celebrations.
Hayatou is now facing an investigation by the International Olympic Committee. Hayatou, who is also a member of the IOC, has expressed his anger over the investigation, while maintaining that the accusations are baseless. The documentary featured 2 other officials, Ricardo Teixeira, head of the Brazilian Football Confederation and CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz.
In a statement, Hayatou said, “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.” He went on to say that his vote at tomorrow’s World Cup bid will not be affected by the allegations. He insisted that the claims Panorama has made and the bid England has presented are two separate things. The Cameroonian is keen to take legal action against the accusers, he said, “I have got an appointment with my lawyers. I will talk to them and I will take it from there.”
FIFA has asserted that no action will be taken against the 3 accused FIFA officials. In a statement, it said, "The matters concerning the case 'ISL/ISMM' which are referred to date back many years ago and were investigated by the relevant authorities in Switzerland. No FIFA officials were accused of any criminal offence in these proceedings. The investigation and the case are definitely closed."
England was hoping to secure Hayatou’s vote on Thursday when the 22-member FIFA executive committee seals the fate of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The revelations made in BBC’s documentary have significantly hampered England’s chances of winning the bid. FIFA has acknowledged England’s bid as the most profitable out of the 4 bids presented.
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