ST GEORGE IS ASCOT’S GOLD STAR

DISGRACED Papa Massata Diack, as well as being implicated in the corruption scandal email Lord Coe claims he did not read, is also believed to have played a vital part in Coe’s election as head of world athletics — a role described by one official as ‘disgusting’. Papa Massata Diack, a former marketing consultant for the IAAF, became the subject of an investigation by the governing body’s ethics commission following a German TV documentary on corruption in December 2014 and he suspended himself from all IAAF activity. Today he is wanted by the French authorities conducting a criminal investigation into the corruption allegations and is hiding out in his native Senegal after Interpol issued a red notice for his arrest. Coe was elected president of the IAAF in August 2015 and sources have told the Daily Mail that Papa Massata Diack was a central figure in his election campaign. This newspaper has a copy of an email that suggests he was involved, the initials ‘PD’ appearing in one communication. The IAAF have denied it was Diack. But the BBC have seen text messages between Coe and Papa Massata Diack — and Papa Massata Diack and Nick Davies, the former deputy director general of the IAAF. Davies, along with his wife Jane, was suspended by the IAAF ethics commission last week amid allegations that Papa Massata Diack paid him 30,000 euros to help delay revealing Russian doping cases. On becoming president, Coe promoted Davies to his chief of staff. In the text messages Coe seeks Papa Massata Diack’s campaign advice and promises to praise his father, former president Lamine, in return for help. He even takes guidance from Papa Massata Diack on handling the issue of doping. The text messages suggest Davies and Papa Diack worked in tandem to support Coe, with Papa Diack telling Davies that the African vote was secure — to the tune of ‘24 out of 30’ — on the eve of the vote. Coe beat Ukrainian former pole vault champion Sergey Bubka by 23 votes to become president. However, it is in breach of the IAAF code of ethics for someone running for president to enlist the services of a member of IAAF staff — in this case Davies. Coe’s campaign team communicated with Davies using a secret email address — Manolo Yanes. ‘If he (Coe) had not the blessing of Lamine Diack or my support, he would have never been elected as the IAAF president,’ Papa Massata Diack told the BBC. ‘He knows that.’ One text from Coe to Papa Massata Diack reads: ‘Thank you once again for your advice — I will speak as you suggest — S.’ A text from Davies to Papa Massata Diack, on May 7, 2015, says: ‘Seb is very happy with your political campaign advice.’ Papa Massata Diack told the BBC that Davies acted as the ‘go-between’ for him and Coe. In return for his support, Papa Massata Diack asked Coe to publicly back his father Lamine, as one exchange demonstrates. ‘In your next press statements you must clearly speak about Pdt (president) achievements in 16 years!,’ says Papa Massata Diack. ‘Absolutely — I always do but will make an extra effort. Thanks. S,’ replies Coe. ‘And leave the Doping platform!! It is a bad mantra for your campaigning,’ says Papa Diack. ‘Will do,’ says Coe. WADA investigator Jack Robertson told the BBC: ‘He’s taking advice from someone who is at the centre of this scandal. It’s wrong on so many fronts. It’s disgusting.’ Coe’s spokeswoman said: ‘The suggestion that Seb Coe was actively seeking Papa Massata Diack’s advice about his campaign is wrong. ‘As with any campaign, lots of people offer advice. You try to be civil but wary. This was the case with Mr Diack. ‘He sent messages of support while at the same time supporting other candidates and accusing Seb Coe of leading a British media campaign against both him and his father.’