Bin Hammam Lifetime Soccer Ban Overturned

By Parvez Fatteh, Founder of http://sportingummah.com, sports@muslimobserver.com

Qatari soccer official Mohamed Bin Hammam was once a candidate for international soccer’s highest post, before tumbling to the lowest of lows after the ignominy of a life-time ban from the sport. But Bin Hammamm is back on the saddle once again after winning his appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The CAS did, however, state that the decision did not amount to an “affirmative finding of innocence” for Bin Hammam, saying that FIFA’s investigation had not been through enough, and that the case could be re-opened with new evidence. Bin Hammam was originally banned after bribery allegations.

Qatari Bin Hammam remained suspended from the game after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which he previously headed, opened a disciplinary case against their former boss over alleged financial wrongdong earlier this week. He was banned for 30 days, which was extended to a worldwide ban by FIFA just last week. “The CAS has upheld Bin Hammam’s appeal, annulled the decision rendered by the FIFA Appeal Committee and lifted the life ban imposed on Mr Bin Hammam,” the CAS statement read.

Bin Hammam, a former member of FIFA’s executive committee, challenged Sepp Blatter for the presidency of soccer’s world ruling body last year. Bin Hammam was also an instrumental figure in Qatar landing the rights to the 2022 soccer World Cup.

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