French police question former FIFA VP Temarii in Tahiti over corruption allegations

Reynald_Temarii_in_front_of_England_United_sign

December 1 – French police have questioned former FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii (pictured) in their investigation into suspected corruption in connection with the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process.

Temarii, who served as a FIFA vice-president for Oceania, was reportedly visited by French officers in Tahiti at the request of French financial prosecutors.

The Associated Press reported that Temarii – banned for eight years in 2015 for taking €305,640 from disgraced ex-Asian football boss Mohamed bin Hammam “in gifts and other benefits” to cover legal costs – was taken into police custody on Tuesday evening and held for 24 hours

Radio reports in the area said Temarii, who was actually banned twice – the first time for a year which stopped him taking part in the vote for 2018 and 2022 after being caught out by a British newspaper ‘sting’ – was questioned by three French investigators who arrived from Paris.

Allegations against him reportedly include “private corruption . . . criminal conspiracy, influence peddling and trading in influence.”

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