
(ATR) Chung Mong-joon, the former FIFA vice-president aiming to replace Sepp Blatter, admitted that he faces a lengthy ethics ban and hit out at opponents trying to sabotage his campaign.
Chung of South Korea dismissed allegations of corruption against him at a press conference in Seoul on Tuesday, an attempt to soften the blow of being served with a possible ban.
Around the Rings reported on Friday that the FIFA ethics panel is investigating claims against Chung and meeting Monday or Tuesday this week. It may deliver its verdict today and could hand down an initial 90-day suspension, ending his presidential hopes.
Chung today dealt with the accusations linked to his proposed $777 million global football development fund to aid South Korea's 2022 World Cup bid in a nine-page statement, according to Reuters.
He said the allegations, which he firmly denies and claims don’t breach FIFA’s bidding rules, were designed "to prevent me from running for the president of FIFA".
The FIFA ethics committee, albeit in a different incarnation from the panel that investigated the allegations nearly five years ago, opened a fresh probe two months ago following an investigation last year by former FIFA investigator Michael Garcia into the scandal-tarnished 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process.
Chung launched his FIFA presidential campaign in August and now finds himself in a battle to clear his name.
"The fundamental reason why I am being targeted is that I aimed straight at the existing power structure of FIFA," Chung said, adding that he would contest any charges brought against him.
"Ultimately, I will prevail and will be vindicated," he was quoted by Reuters.
Chung has blasted Blatter’s leadership of FIFA since he launched his bid to replace the Swiss at the proposed elective congress on Feb 26 and believes the 79-year-old is trying to "sabotage" his campaign.
The 63-year-old is set to speak at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in London on Wednesday where he is expected to again attack Blatter and FIFA for allowing corruption to fester at world football’s governing body.
Reported by Mark Bisson
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.

McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.

ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.

International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.

IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
