AusLeisure

Mohamed bin Hammam, a one-time challenger for the FIFA presidency who was banned over vote- buying claims, has failed to block the appointment of his replacement as President of the Asian Football Confederation.

Bin Hammam's appeal was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland last Friday.

Since the decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee in July to ban Bin Hammam from all football activities worldwide over corruption claims, AFC Acting President Zhang Jilong has deputised carrying out the daily duties and responsibilities of the AFC President as prescribed by the AFC Statutes.

The Qatari was found guilty of buying votes in the FIFA leadership contest against incumbent Sepp Blatter. Bin Hammam said the ban was politically motivated and that he had the resources to fight for years to clear his name.

His legal team has filed an appeal against his expulsion from football with CAS.

Bin Hammam had claimed Jilong's appointment as AFC acting President and nomination to FIFA's decision-making body breached the confederation's rules. The AFC said today it had "strictly followed" its statutes at all times.

FIFA's decision to expel Bin Hammam came after an investigation led by former US Federal Bureau of Investigation director Louis Freeh into claims he offered Caribbean football officials envelopes containing $40,000 while campaigning in the region.

FIFA Vice President Jack Warner, who arranged Bin Hammam's visit to the Caribbean, was also suspended and quit the sport before the end of Freeh's inquiry. Warner denied any wrongdoing.

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