Messrs Karweaye, Tarr, Suku et al: Please find below my response to a query from The Sunday Times sent two days ago in which they cited an email I wrote to Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam as part of evidence that FIFAs award of the 2022 World Cup was riddled with corruption. It is very unfortunate that although my email was forthright and explicit, the Sunday Times is somehow trying to transform what was brave attempt to unseat the hegemony which has perpetuated itself at the helm of FIFA for decades with a more progressive leadership seeking change into a fixed world cup bid. I remain unapologetic as having being a part of this effort, an effort to consolidate and support officials who would in turn lead the change in FIFA by electing Mr. Bin Hammam. Although not successful, it was a worthy venture. My email proposed practical strategies and steps required to enable a strong challenge in view of the entrenched leadership at FIFA. As the email stated, it was all about Bin Hammams candidature and nothing else. How this connects to Qatars 2022 bid is inconceivable and remains a burden on the editors of the Sunday times to reveal. Additionally, neither Mr. Weah nor Madam Wesley participated in nor had any influence over the bid process. I spoke to Mr. Weah and he has informed me that he had submitted to earlier investigations and availed his financial records. This is purely a case of hypocrisy on the part of the English who spent tens of millions of pounds to lobby with delegates and bid committee members but are now crying foul having played a game and lost. I know for a fact that Mr. Weah made over 5 visits to Doha, several New York, Zurich, Accra, Lagos, Johannesburg etc. to hold meetings. To our compatriots who are jumping to conclusions, what if Mr. Weah, in explaining the transfer to his account, displays proof of expenditure including travel expenses, hotel bills etc? The Sunday Times would do well to focus on the lavish expenditures of Englands bid ambassadors and bid committee (including Beckam, Charlton and other English legends) in their quest to win 2022. MY INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE SUNDAY TIMES Mr. Ungoed-Thomas, please see my response to you inquiry: In 2009, Mr. George Weah and I had a series of discussions with Mr. Mohammed Bin Hammam. The discussion centered on Mr. Bin Hammams desire to contest for the Presidency of FIFA and his request to have Mr. Weah support this ambition. Mr. Weah acquiesced and promised to canvass when Mr. Hammam puts himself forward. I did send an email to Mr. Hammam on behalf of Mr. Weah for him to support Mrs. Izzetta Wesleys campaign to get re-elect as President of the Liberian FA as part of a grander scheme to harness the support of progressive, reform minded individuals in furtherance of Mr. Hammams quest to ascend to the helm of FIFA and effect positive change there. The request for support to Mrs. Wesley was never a part of any scheme to get Qatar awarded the 2022 World cup. Subsequent events have proven that as neither Mr. Weah nor Madam Wesley cast or influenced the vote for the award of 2022 to Qatar. I am not aware that the request for financial support to Mrs. Wesleys campaign was ever made to Mr. Weah. I have spoken to Mr. Weah who has informed me that he had availed all records of his finances to an earlier inquiry by FIFA and that he has always acted with integrity and prudence. George Weah is a genuine hero of the world and African game. He is a legend and a quintessential iconic footballer whose contribution to the global game on and off the pitch has remained exemplary and irreproachable. It is my worry that your investigation of the award of 2022 to Qatar is now being skewed towards a vainglorious assailment of the reputation of this great football legend purely to fit a pre-designed narrative that England was cheated by and through a grand conspiracy. Eugene Nagbe
Posted on: Mon, 02 Jun 2014 02:54:36 +0000
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