FIFA extend Mohamed Bin Hammam ban

FIFA have extended former member Mohamed Bin Hammam's provisional ban for a further 45 days.

Bin Hammam was initially banned for life following allegations of bribery, but successfully appealed for such a sanction to be overturned.

FIFA immediately suspended him for 90 days while they launched a fresh investigation into the claims and have now extended this by 50%, much to the chagrin of Bin Hammam.

"It is astounding that FIFA is able to keep extending its ban on the football activities of Mr Bin Hammam, as it sees fit. FIFA's latest extension order fails to give any reasons to justify its action," said Bin Hammam's lawyer, Eugene Gulland.

"The basic tenet of law is that a person is innocent until proven guilty after a trial conducted according to due process. The situation that Mr Bin Hammam is facing is even more bizarre - a man who has prevailed in a trial by an independent legal body continues to be punished in an arbitrary manner.

"The judgment of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found not only that FIFA failed to establish adequate evidence that Mr Bin Hammam was the source of the funds, but FIFA had also failed to establish any intent to influence votes. In short, FIFA failed to establish both evidence and motive.

"Yet here we are some four months later with FIFA continuing to extend its ban while it, in conjunction with the Asian Football Confederation, conjures up further jumped-up charges."

Bin Hammam, who stood to challenge Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency before the allegations were made, is the former president of the Asian Football Confederation.