AFP
Zurich, Switzerland
FIFA's ethics watchdog is seeking a lifetime ban for Najeeb Chirakal, an aide to disgraced ex-Asian soccer chief Mohamed bin Hammam.
The ban was called for on Wednesday at the conclusion of a probe into Chirakal who has been suspended since October 2012. "The investigation concerning Mr Chirakal focused mainly on his involvement in payments to several football officials," football's governing body announced in a statement.
The lifetime ban was recommended by Vanessa Allard, FIFA's chief investigator into his case. Although no details were given on the allegations, Chirakal was a key figure in Hammam's controversial campaign to become FIFA president in 2011. Media reports said he paid executive members for votes. Chirakal's fate will be decided by the adjudicatory chamber of FIFA's Ethics Committee.
Bin Hammam, a former FIFA president from Qatar, was banned for life in June 2011 for misconduct just before the presidential election. After appealing to the international sports arbitration court and then being suspended again, Hammam resigned all positions in December 2012.
