Scandal Charges by Ex-Volleyball Chief

(ATR) The ex-secretary general of FIVB says the volleyball federation is rife with mismanagement and abuse of power, charges he levels in a 22-page document now in the possession of his Swiss attorney, according to a report in a German newspaper.

Jean-Pierre Seppey left FIVB in August in a furor with FIVB President Ruben Acosta and his wife, Malu, who acts as an un-official second-in-command at FIVB. Seppey was fired over allegations of financial abuse, but according to Seppey, the Acostas are the culprits.

An official with FIVB tells Around the Rings the federation is aware of the allegations as published in the Berliner Zeitung, but that FIVB has no comment on any matters involving the former secretary general.

Seppey alleges Acosta has received more than half a million Swiss Francs annually from FIVB without approval and that expensive gifts have been paid by FIVB for relatives of Mrs. Acosta.

Seppey says that through the years, millions of dollars have been paid to Acosta for commissions resulting from the sale of TV rights and sponsorships to FIVB events. Volleyball is believed to be the only Olympic federation which allows its officers to collect commissions on marketing deals.

Seppey, once considered a loyal aide to Acosta, now says that Acosta feared he would be toppled as president of the federation by his secretary general.

Seppey's allegations include the salacious. He says Acosta told him to entertain media representatives and sponsors in red light districts. And Seppey claims Acosta got caught in a dalliance with a Russian volleyball player, which led to the exclusion of a Russian team from a tournament, on orders from Malu Acosta.

The allegations are not the first directed at the volleyball leader. Former Argentina Volleyball Federation leader Mario Goijman has waged a three year campaign against Acosta, charging financial improprieties, while FIVB has banished Goijman from the sport, saying that he broke the federation ethics code.

In 2004, Acosta resigned from the IOC shortly after his 70th birthday, a move which put an end to an IOC Ethics Commission inquiry that grew out of Goijman's accusations.

Acosta, 71, suffered a stroke in 2003. While Acosta has made a recovery, Seppey says Acosta's health remains an issue.

Nonetheless, Acosta appears to be heading to re-election as FIVB president in 2006. He has won the backing of four of the five continental federations, with the endorsement of the European confederation expected soon. Acosta has served as FIVB president since 1984.