CAS dismiss Adamu appeal against ban
Reuters - Friday 24 February 2012, 15:59
Nigerian Amos Adamu, who
was kicked off FIFA's Executive Committee for his part in the
World Cup bribery scandal, has lost his appeal against a
three-year ban from football.
The ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in
Lausanne on Friday upheld FIFA's ban with the stinging remark
that "the sanction is relatively mild given the seriousness of
the offence."
In a statement FIFA, world football's governing body, said it
was "satisfied" by the decision and re-confirmed its policy of
zero tolerance to corruption.
Adamu was banned by FIFA's ethics committee last year
following a Sunday Times investigation when he was secretly
filmed by journalists, posing as lobbyists, asking for $800,000
to influence his vote in the 2018 World Cup bidding process.
CAS said in its ruling: "The CAS panel stressed that it was
of crucial importance that top football officials should not
only be honest but should evidently and undoubtedly be seen to
be honest.
"With respect to the behaviour of Dr Adamu, the CAS panel
was comfortably satisfied that he was far from actively and
unambiguously refusing the improper offer set forth by the
alleged lobbyists.
"In conclusion, the CAS arbitrators considered that the
sanction imposed by FIFA was not disproportionate and was even
relatively mild given the seriousness of the offence."
FIFA said in its statement that it had taken note of the CAS
decision and that the decision "further underlines FIFA's zero
tolerance and clear stance against any breach of the FIFA Code
of Ethics."
CAS will rule in April regarding an appeal by Mohamed Bin
Hammam of Qatar, another former FIFA member banned for life last
year for bribery.
He has also appealed to CAS and that hearing will take place
on April 18/19.