The Ethics Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) recently gave Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured), a candidate running for the title of FIFA’s president, a lifetime ban from football for allegedly attempting to bribe the entirety of the Caribbean Football Union to vote for him in the FIFA presidential election.

The alleged bribe-scheme was exposed by FIFA general secretary Chuck Blazer who is accused by Hammam and his lawyers to have made a “conspiracy” so that Joseph Blatter, who was the previous FIFA President, was automatically re-elected without any opposition.

After permanently suspending Hammam, two other Carribean Football Union members involved were given minimal suspensions (1 year at the least).

Hammam continues to protest his innocence despite FIFA’s claims of substantial evidence. Hammam stated that he has never “done that [bribed others] and this is why I will do whatever that is necessary to clear my name.”

FIFA still wants more information about Hammam’s alleged bribes and meetings with other football officials in less than 48 hours of a given response time.

FIFA warns those who have “any relevant information” to the scandal should come forth with the information or “be subject to the full range of sanctions”.

(Cover Photo: Associated Press)