FIFA report: “Overwhelming evidence” of corruption

A FIFA Ethics Committee report has acknowledged “comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming” prima facie evidence of corruption by Mohammed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner.

Last month it was alleged that Bin Hammam offered cash for votes in the FIFA Presidential election during a meeting with the Caribbean Football Union. Then-FIFA Vice-President Warner was also accused of corruption for his part in the meeting.

The scandal prompted FIFA to suspend both men pending an investigation by the body’s Ethics Committee.

A report by the committee, acquired by the PA, has detailed evidence suggesting that bribes were offered.

Warner went on to resign earlier this week, at which point the investigation against him was dropped and his presumption of innocence said to be intact. The report’s findings are reported to have been made known to him three days earlier.

"The comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming evidence permits to conclude prima facie that [Warner] has initiated and arranged a special meeting of the CFU member associations for Mr Bin Hammam,” it states.

"Furthermore on the occasion of this meeting it seems Mr Bin Hammam offered, at least indirectly and under the pledge of secrecy, to each of the member associations an envelope containing $40,000.

"The FIFA Ethics Committee is of the primary opinion that the accused had knowledge of the respective payments and condoned them.

"It seems quite likely that the accused contributed himself to the relevant actions, thereby acting as an accessory to corruption."

Bin Hammam and Warner have consistently maintained denial of any wrongdoing.