BERNE, (Reuters) – FIFA has rejected appeals from Reynald Temarii and Amos Adamu, the suspended executive committee members who were at the heart of a corruption scandal which marred the contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Soccer’s governing body said ysterday that Nigerian Adamu, who was found guilty of bribery, remained banned from all soccer-related activities for three years. A 10,000 Swiss franc ($10,444) fine was maintained.
Temarii, head of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) at the time, remains banned for one year following this week’s hearing by the appeals committee. A 5,000 Swiss franc fine was unaltered.
“The FIFA appeal committee has confirmed the decisions taken on Nov. 17 regarding the bans on Reynald Temarii and Amos Adamu – who were at the time FIFA vice-president and FIFA executive committee member – for a breach of the FIFA code of ethics,” said soccer’s governing body in a statement.
The pair allegedly offered to sell their votes in the hosting contest to Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for an American consortium.
As a result of their suspensions, only 22 members of the executive committee voted when in December Russia were chosen to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar for 2022.
FIFA reduced the bans and fines for three other officials found guilty of unethical behaviour, Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite and Ahongalu Fusimalohi.
Aloulou, formerly chairman of the FIFA committee which settles disputes between clubs, players and coaches, had his two-year ban and 10,000 Swiss franc fine both halved.
Diakite and Fusimalohi, both originally banned for three years and fined 10,000 Swiss francs, had their sanctions cut to a two-year ban and 7,500 Swiss franc fine each.
