Chung to sue FIFA watchdog over ban

October 10, 2015 | 10:21

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The South Korean tycoon said he would take action against FIFA for damaging his reputation.

FIFA vice president Chung Mong-joon reacts as he holds a press conference in Seoul on Oct 6, 2015. FIFA presidential hopeful Chung accused Sepp Blatter of trying to smear him via the body's ethics committee, in a bid to force him to drop his candidacy. (AFP PHOTO/YONHAP)

SEOUL: FIFA presidential contender Chung Mong-Joon said Friday (Oct 9) he would sue the world football body's ethics committee for defamation over a six-year ban and make a formal appeal to the international sport tribunal.

The South Korean tycoon said in a statement he would take action against FIFA's independent ethics committee "for damaging my reputation" in its handling of his case. The watchdog suspended FIFA head Sepp Blatter, secretary-general Jerome Valcke and UEFA president Michel Platini for 90 days on Thursday.

Chung, a candidate for the FIFA presidency to be decided in February along with Platini and Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, was banned for six years.

"This is a most blatant miscarriage of justice," Chung said, accusing the watchdog of making "vague" accusations under FIFA's code of ethics.

The billionaire former FIFA vice president said he would mobilise "all legal means available" including a formal request next week to the Lausanne based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"The Ethics Committee will also be the subject of my legal actions for damaging my reputation," he said.

He said he would also press ahead with legal action against Blatter for "embezzlement". The six year ban automatically rules Chung out of the FIFA race. He was also fined 100,000 Swiss francs (US$100,000). The scion of the Hyundai family was found to have contravened rules while lobbying for South Korea's bid for the 2022 World Cup, which was awarded to Qatar in 2010.

"It is a shameful attempt to punish me for my open criticisms of FIFA," Chung said, describing the watchdog's investigation as "a political ploy" aimed at sabotaging his candidacy.

AFP

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