On the Scene -- Bin Hammam Lashes Out at Critics During Soccerex

Asian Football Confederation President Mohammed bin Hammam continues his scathing attacks on IOC members whom he claims have undermined the governance of soccer in Asia.

Bin Hammam, who was speaking at the Soccerex London Forum at Wembley Stadium, claimed that "at least ten national associations were influenced by national Olympic associations" in voting against him.

Last week, bin Hammam survived a challenge to his coveted FIFA executive committee seat after a bitter campaign with rival, Bahraini royal, Sheik Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa. The campaign was marred by personal attacks and accusations of corruption. Bin Hammam’s final victory – by two votes after two ballots had been spoiled – did little to allay the whiff of scandal.

Bin Hamman was fiercely critical of IOC members using games to expand their influence and launched a rambling and angry attack on his enemies.

"I believe that the national Olympics [associations] in Asia has influenced a lot of our national football associations," he said.

"I tried since I was elected in 2002 to protect the independence of our national associations from political influences – government or sports ministers. I never realized that it can be replaced by the Olympics," he added. "The world of football needs to enhance its independence. Maybe FIFA has got a better role to do to be sure that football’s houses [organizations] decide for themselves. I believe that FIFA failed this time to protect football, but I hope that in the future they are more active in this."

Bin Hammam was in defiant mood insisting that the election race was "tough but democratic." He acknowledged that outside perceptions suggested otherwise, but was insistent that the electoral environment within the AFC was "healthy."

"Unfortunately some bad acts have taken place. I hope that we in Asia overcome these bad acts and that we will be able to conduct our [future] elections in a much better way."

Looking ahead to the race to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals, bin Hammam said that he believes Asia "has the right" to host at least one of the tournaments. He refused to be drawn on his favored destination for the finals, but admitted that he would prefer an Asian country to host the 2018 World Cup, rather than 2022.

Earlier Keith Harris, chairman of the investment bank Seymour Pierce, who is credited with arranging the takeovers of Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester City and Aston Villa, said that banks had a "moral responsibility" for finding the right investors for football clubs. He revealed last year he "immediately" rejected 24 of 30 approaches for Newcastle United because he had concerns about their integrity.

He added that the recession had hit English football hard with the equity of clubs falling by "twenty percent" in the previous year. But he said that the climate for takeover deals had improved since the end of 2008. "Interest in investing in football has had a quiet voice but over the last few months that has been getting louder," he said.

Michele Centenaro, general secretary of the European Club Association, outlined his organization’s future plans. The ECA was inaugurated last year following the dissolution of the G14 organization of Europe’s biggest clubs. Unlike the previous organization of Europe’s elite, the ECA is drawn from 137 clubs from 53 countries. Centenaro said that his organization was less confrontational than its predecessor, but added "we speak concretely and deliver results."

Centenaro spoke of the need to do something about the "outrageous overspending on player transfers." But ECA Vice President John McClelland said that the aim was for all members to be treated fairly rather than seeking a correction to the financial imbalances in European football. He also pointed out that the General Assembly had "overwhelmingly" rejected proposals for a salary cap.

Centenaro announced an agreement in principle from 2012 to change international dates to allow players an additional day to return to their clubs.

Soccerex Chief Executive Duncan Revie unveiled plans to host the business forum in Rio de Janeiro for four years, starting from 2010. Gauteng, South Africa, which has previously hosted the conference, would from next year stage a day-long forum. The London Forum will be replaced by a European Forum, to be staged in Manchester next year.

Written by James Corbett

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