Former FIFA presidential hopeful Chung Mong-joon has taken yet another jab at the world football governing body, accusing it of interfering with his efforts to appeal his ban.
FIFA's Ethics Committee "continues to deliberately sabotage my effort to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport," Chung said in his English blog entry titled, "FIFA, What Should be Done?"
The CAS, an independent quasi-judicial body, is the highest tribunal in sports.
On Oct. 8, FIFA banned Chung for six months "from all football activities on a national and international level" for violating FIFA rules during South Korea's bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. A Swiss court later rejected Chung's request to temporarily lift the ban so he could run in the FIFA presidential election next February. Chung, former FIFA vice president, withdrew from the race in late October.
Chung has previously charged that FIFA had reached a politically motivated decision to sanction him and vowed to appeal the ruling.
"In order for me to appeal my case to CAS, I must first go through FIFA's internal appeal process. For this I need to have FIFA Ethics Committee's 'reasoned decision,' a document that explains why I received the sanctions," Chung added. "However, almost three months after my suspension, the Ethics Committee has yet to send me the 'reasoned decision.' It is not only a blatant violation of justice but also of common sense."
Chung also renewed his attacks on the corruption-marred FIFA, with outgoing President Sepp Blatter also serving a suspension while investigations continue.
"Those who enjoyed power under Blatter's shadow now try to kick out their host and have begun to act as if they run FIFA," Chung said. "As long as FIFA is run by such people, the prospect for a fundamental reform is dim. This is like a police organ that served as a puppet of a brutal dictator proclaiming itself to be the protector of justice after the fall of the dictator."
Chung wrote, however, that not all is lost in FIFA and world football.
"2015 was a year of humiliation and disgrace for FIFA. It must have been disheartening for so many young people for whom football is a source of hope and inspiration," he said. "Reforming FIFA will not be easy with the structure and people who currently make up FIFA. It is too early to despair, however. As long as we have fans who love football, we have a bright future." (Yonhap)
