The latest allegations about corruption and bribery levelled at FIFA’s hierarchy are explosive because for the first time they have been made by an insider — a member of the world governing body’s own powerful executive committee. FIFA’s investigation into presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and CONCACAF chief Jack Warner was sparked by a report from Chuck Blazer, the prominent and outspoken 66-year-old who is a fellow member of the governing body’s executive committee. Blazer’s intervention is highly significant, coming a week before the FIFA presidential election in Zurich, where delegates from 208 countries will decide whether Sepp Blatter gets a fourth term or Bin Hammam a first. Warner and Bin Hammam, the head of the Asian Football Confederation, strongly denied any wrongdoing. Bin Hammam said in a statement he still expected to be able to stand in next Wednesday’s election, suggesting the investigation was “little more than a tactic” from his rival, but the claims may have scuppered his hopes of victory. Now, instead of spending the last few days of his campaign concentrating on his bid, the 62-year-old Qatari faces an appearance before FIFA’s Ethics Committee on Sunday.
