FIFA probe finds 'new evidence' in bin Hammam case

LONDON (AFP) - A FIFA commissioned investigation into claims that Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam used bribes in his bid for the organisation's top job has found fresh evidence, according to the Guardian newspaper.

Bin Hammam and then vice-president Jack Warner were suspended on May 29 when a leaked report revealed that four Caribbean Football Union associations had been offered money or had seen the offence occurring during a meeting on May 10-11.

A further five associations have now told former FBI director Louis Freeh, who is heading the investigation, that they were offered $40,000 (27,900 euros) in brown paper envelopes in return for their vote in the presidential election.
FIFA announced on Wednesday it had completed its investigation into bin Hammam and its ethics committee would hear the case against the suspended official on July 22.
The ethics committee will also hear the cases of Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, the two CFU officials who were also suspended along with Warner.
Bin Hammam, who was hoping to unseat Sepp Blatter from the leading role at FIFA, has argued that many of those claiming to have received money were not able to vote.