Chung's FIFA bid in jeopardy

FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon speaks during a press conference at the Korea Football Association headquarters in central Seoul, Tuesday. / Yonhap

Korean candidate calls investigation `smear campaign'

By Nam Hyun-woo

FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon cried foul Tuesday over the organization’s investigation which may end his bid, claiming that he has become the “target of a smear campaign” orchestrated by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

He vowed to take all steps he can to fight Blatter and maintain his presidential bid.

Chung is under scrutiny by the FIFA Ethics Committee over letters he sent to his fellow FIFA Executive Committee members explaining a proposal to launch a $777 million “Global Football Fund” (GFF) in 2010.

The Ethics Committee asked that Chung be subject to a 15 year ban from FIFA activities, and another four years be added to the ban on the pretext that his previous remarks defamed the committee, Chung said.

World Football Insider reported on Oct. 2 that the committee is expected to meet this week to hold a hearing to examine whether Chung’s letter was an attempt to affect Korea’s bid for the right to host the 2022 World Cup.

Should the committee impose the ban, Chung’s bid to replace beleaguered Blatter in the Feb. 26 election could collapse as he may not be able to register as a candidate by the Oct. 26 deadline.

“There was nothing unusual about the GFF,” said Chung during a press conference at the Korea Football Association headquarters in central Seoul. “No money or personal favors were exchanged in relation to the GFF, and no so such charges were made against me.”

According to Chung, FIFA was aware of the existence of his letters in 2010 and determined the matter closed after an investigation.

He revealed letters from then FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke to Chung and Han Sung-joo, chairman of the Korean Bid Committee for the 2022 World Cup, stating, “We consider the integrity of the bidding process not to be affected and consequently deem the matter closed.”

Chung said the committee sent him a transcript in July, naming both Blatter and Valcke as the major witnesses against Chung. “The two feigned to be surprised over the letter in the transcript. I did not know that they were suffering from memory loss as well,” he added.

“I harbor no illusions about the Ethics Committee hearing. My request to call Mr. Blatter and Mr. Valcke as major witnesses was denied. I find the whole proceeding to be a sham,” he said.

Chung claimed that the probe on him over “issues which had been closed many years ago,” is an apparent bid to disrupt his run for the top football body job, likening the members of the Ethics Committee to Blatter’s “hit men.”

“The fact that I am the target of Mr. Blatter’s smear campaign is clearly the most powerful endorsement for my candidacy for the FIFA presidency, and the best proof that I am the person to lead FIFA’s reforms.”

To another allegation that Chung’s payments to Haiti and Pakistan in 2010 were part of a bribery attempt, Chung reiterated that they were “charitable donations.”

“As the deadline approaches, I’m living in the dying seconds. But, what I can say is I will resort to every available legal means to maintain my status as a FIFA candidate, and I will ultimately prevail and be vindicated,” Chung said.