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Chung Mong-joon faces a 19-year suspension from FIFA

Posted October. 07, 2015 08:17,   

한국어

“FIFA is reviewing a 19-year suspension (on me). I will fight with all legal means available.”

Chung Mong-joon (64), the honorary president of Korea Football Federation, told a press conference in central Seoul on Tuesday, "I have become the target of FIFA for challenging the core members of the international football body," adding that "FIFA`s ethics committee, or the `hit man` of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, has stepped up to sabotage my candidacy."

Chung explained that the ethics committee is poised to impose a 15-year suspension for sending letters to FIFA executive committee members to propose raising an international football fund during the 2022 World Cup bid process and four more years for criticizing the ethics committee recently, which means the committee is trying to stop him from doing “any act related to football” for a total of 19 years. Once the suspension is confirmed, Chung cannot apply for the FIFA presidency, which will be closed on Oct. 26.

“FIFA already finished its investigation about the letters. In 2010, then Secretary General Jerome Valcke sent a letter to me and then FIFA Bidding Committee Chairman Han Seung-ju that he decided to have the matter concluded as he viewed that my letters did not affect the fairness of bidding process, Chung also told at Tuesday`s press conference. "As a member of the executive committee, it was natural and not against the protocol for me to help my country win the bid. The issue that was already concluded has been raised again as the election is in the offing.”

Regarding the ethics committee’s call to attend a hearing, Chung said, “For the integrity of the hearing, I have asked for the presence of FIFA President Blatter and former Secretary General Valcke, but my request has been overruled. I do not have any expectations about a hearing that has already drawn its own conclusion.”

"To reform FIFA, FIFA`s each continental union and football association from different countries should recover independence, Chung said. “The fact that I have become the target of Blatter is good evidence that I am qualified to lead the FIFA reform.”



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