Mohammed Bin Hammam is refusing to resign as Asia soccer chief and has asked his colleagues for their patience as he tries to clear his name after being banned from football for life by FIFA on bribery charges last weekend.
In an open letter to the heads of the 46 member associations of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Qatari, who has been replaced on a caretaker basis by China's Zhang Jilong, appealed for understanding and support.
"I have all the right to fight against this shameful decision until I clear my name," Bin Hammam wrote in a letter on AFC headed paper which he posted on his blog(www.mohamedbinhammam.com) late on Monday.
"It may take some time before I go through the appeal committee of FIFA and the Court of Sports Arbitration (CAS) and possible other procedures.
"That means I will not render my resignation as AFC President and FIFA member representing Asia as far as the legal proceedings are continuing.
"I am appealing for your understanding and appreciation for my cause and reasons and looking for your support to me until I prove my innocence."
The 62-year-old was found guilty last Saturday of attempting to buy the votes of Caribbean Football Union officials in the run-up to last month's FIFA presidential election, in which he had challenged incumbent Sepp Blatter before withdrawing shortly before the vote.
Bin Hammam, a FIFA executive committee member since 1996, could face a wait of several weeks or even months before a full report of the ethics committee's sentence is made available and he can start his appeal.
The AFC executive committee are scheduled to meet at their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Friday under the continued temporary leadership of Zhang, who acknowledged on Sunday that the organisation was suffering.
REUTERS
In an open letter to the heads of the 46 member associations of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the Qatari, who has been replaced on a caretaker basis by China's Zhang Jilong, appealed for understanding and support.
"I have all the right to fight against this shameful decision until I clear my name," Bin Hammam wrote in a letter on AFC headed paper which he posted on his blog(www.mohamedbinhammam.com) late on Monday.
"It may take some time before I go through the appeal committee of FIFA and the Court of Sports Arbitration (CAS) and possible other procedures.
"That means I will not render my resignation as AFC President and FIFA member representing Asia as far as the legal proceedings are continuing.
"I am appealing for your understanding and appreciation for my cause and reasons and looking for your support to me until I prove my innocence."
The 62-year-old was found guilty last Saturday of attempting to buy the votes of Caribbean Football Union officials in the run-up to last month's FIFA presidential election, in which he had challenged incumbent Sepp Blatter before withdrawing shortly before the vote.
Bin Hammam, a FIFA executive committee member since 1996, could face a wait of several weeks or even months before a full report of the ethics committee's sentence is made available and he can start his appeal.
The AFC executive committee are scheduled to meet at their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Friday under the continued temporary leadership of Zhang, who acknowledged on Sunday that the organisation was suffering.
REUTERS
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