Zambia great Kalusha Bwalya has vowed to appeal a Fifa Ethics Committee decision to ban him from football for two years.
The ban comes after an investigation found that Mohammed Bin Hammam paid Bwalya, then president of the Football Association of Zambia, some $50,000 in 2009 and $30,000 in 2011 as the Qatari sought to challenge Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency. Bin Hammam pulled out of the 2011 contest when vote-buying allegations emerged.
The 1998 African Footballer of the Year and Caf Executive Committee member, who during the period is prohibited from holding any role in football be it “administrative‚ sports or any other at both national and international level”, was also fined 100‚000 Swiss Francs.
In a statement via his social media handles, Bwalya said: “I am surprised and saddened by today’s receipt of the notification from the Fifa Ethics Committee adjudication.
“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.
“I have never done and will never do anything to bring the beautiful game into disrepute and stand by the facts provided by me to the committee.
“I unfortunately cannot provide any further details as my legal team has advised that this would jeopardize my chances of obtaining leave to appeal.
“Fifa’s decision is not final and I will fight tooth and nail for justice to clear my name.
“I thank all my fans for their ongoing support.”
Fifa announced Bwalya’s banning on Friday.
The global ruling body’s statement read: “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has banned Kalusha Bwalya‚ member of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf)‚ for two years from all football-related activities (administrative‚ sports or any other) at both national and international level.
“The investigation against Mr Bwalya was opened on 28 February 2017‚ and 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.”
Kalusha Bwalya was president of the Football Association of Zambia from 2008 to 2016.
