20 Nov 2010

Temarii angry with FIFA, claims he was cleared

5:15 pm on 20 November 2010

One of two Oceania football officials suspended by the sport's governing body has criticised FIFA over its handling of the case, saying he feels like a victim.

Reynald Temarii was one of two senior members who have been banned from football activities after claims they asked for money in exchange for World Cup votes.

Temarii says FIFA cleared him of all serious charges, but have now banned him for one year on two new charges of breaching confidentiality and behaviour not becoming of a FIFA official.

He says he's seeking more information from FIFA on the charges, and will then decide whether he will appeal.

Temarii criticised the governing body, saying it told him privately that he was free of the serious corruption charges, but says that it did not mention this when it publicly announced his ban.

He also hit out at the British Sunday Times, describing a video shot by them as a fabrication of evidence, and he is suing them.