African star vows to fight Fifa ban
I had no part in cash-for-votes scandal: footballer
FORMER African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya plans to take legal action against world body Fifa following his two-year ban from all football-related activities.
The former Zambian footballer has been banned from the game for two years by football’s governing body after an investigation into his links to banned Qatari official Mohammed Bin Hammam.
The adjudicatory chamber of Fifa’s ethics committee said yesterday that they had banned Bwalya, a member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football, for two years from “all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level”.
Fifa said in a statement it had been investigating the 54-year-old Bwalya since February 2017 “focused principally on benefits that Mr Bwalya had received from Mr Bin Hammam”.
“The adjudicatory chamber found Mr Bwalya guilty of having violated article 16 (confidentiality) and Article 20 (offering and accepting gifts and other benefits) of the Fifa code of ethics.
“A fine in the amount of 100 000 Swiss francs (about R1.4 million) was also imposed on Mr Bwalya,” the Fifa statement added.
Zambia’s eighth most capped player reportedly received cash “gifts” from disgraced Qatari business mogul Bin Hammam last year, but claimed it was not to influence the 2018 or 2022 World Cup bid voting.
Bwalya, who now lives in Johannesburg, said he would be consulting his lawyers on the matter.
“I am surprised and saddened by today’s receipt of the notification from the Fifa ethics committee adjudication,” said Bwalya.
“I have instructed my legal team to immediately appeal this decision urgently and would like to state that I am not guilty of any offence which allegedly took place.”
Bwalya was voted African Player of the Year in 1988 and later went on to be coach of the Zambia national team and president of the Zambian Football Association.
Fifa banned Bin Hammam from football for life for his part in a cash-for-votes scandal. The Qatari has denied any wrongdoing.
Bwalya pleaded his innocence.
“I have never done and will never do anything to bring the beautiful game into disrepute and I stand by the facts provided by me to the committee,” he said.
Bwalya could not, however, provide any details.
“Unfortunately, I am unable to provide any other further details as my legal team has advised that this would jeopardise my chances of obtaining leave to appeal.”
Bwalya said he would fight to make sure the decision was overturned.
“Fifa’s decision is not final and I will fight tooth and nail for justice to clear my name. I want to thank all my fans for their support.”