August 13 – FIFA has banned Zambia’s former federation chief Kalusha Bwalya for two years following an investigation into his links with disgraced ex-Asian football boss Mohammed Bin Hammam and fined him CHF100,000.
In yet another blow to the reputation of African football, which has been hit by a spate of recent corruption cases, the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee said they had banned Bwalya, a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), following a probe that began in February 2017 that was “focused principally on benefits that Mr Bwalya had received from Mr Bin Hammam.”
Bin Hammam was president of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of the FIFA executive committee when he allegedly paid the Zambian in his bid to oust Sepp Blatter. The Qatari was later banned for life.
Following FIFA’s announcement, Bwalya, African Player of the Year in 1988 and later coach of the Zambia national team and then president of the Zambian Football Association, announced he would fight “tooth and nail” to clear his name and said he had instructed his legal team to immediately appeal the decision.
“I am surprised and saddened by today’s receipt of the notification from the FIFA Ethics Committee adjudication,” he said in a statement.
“I would like to state that I am NOT guilty of any offence, which allegedly took place. I have never done and will never do anything to bring the beautiful game into disrepute and stand by the facts provided by me to the committee.
“I unfortunately cannot provide any further details as my legal team has advised I that this would jeopardise my chances of obtaining leave to appeal. FIFAs decision is not final and I will fight tooth and nail for justice to clear my name.”
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