5 Feb 2011

Fifa rejects appeals from Tamarii and Adamu

5:48 am on 5 February 2011

Football's world governing body FIFA has rejected appeals from the former Oceania President Reynald Temarii and Amos Adamu of Nigeria, the suspended executive committee members who were at the heart of a corruption scandal which marred the contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Fifa says Adamu, who was found guilty of bribery, remains banned from all soccer-related activities for three years.

Tamarii from Tahiti remains banned for one year following this week's hearing by the appeals committee.

The pair allegedly offered to sell their votes in the hosting contest to Sunday Times reporters posing as lobbyists for an American consortium.

As a result of their suspensions, only 22 members of the executive committee voted in December when Russia were chosen to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar for 2022.

FIFA reduced the bans and fines for three other officials found guilty of unethical behaviour, Slim Aloulou, Amadou Diakite and Ahongalu Fusimalohi.

A fourth official, Ismael Bhamjee, did not appeal.