Kalusha Bwalya
Kalusha Bwalya has vowed to “fight tooth and nail” to prove his innocence in the wake of the ban and hefty fine slapped on him by FIFA.
The world football governing body has handed Bwalya a two year ban from all football-related activities and a US$100,000 fine for accepting bribes from former Asian football chief Mohammed bin Hammam.
The CAF executive committee member was among a host of African football officials caught in the storm of Bin Hammam’s bribery allegations a few years ago.
Today, FIFA announced that the adjudicatory chamber of the independent ethics committee has found Bwalya guilty of violating the ethics code by accepting improper payments totaling $80 000 from Bin Hammam in 2009 and 2011 for Faz and personal expenditure.
But the 1988 African Footballer of the Year is not about to take FIFA’s decision lying down, saying he will immediately appeal because the decision is not final.
“I am surprised and saddened by today’s receipt of the notification from the FIFA Ethics Committee adjudication,” Bwalya said in a statement.
“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.”
He protested his innocence, saying “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 I that this would jeopardize my chances of obtaining leave to appeal.
“FIFAs decision is not final and I will fight tooth and nail for justice to clear my name.”
The former FAZ president then thanked his fans for their on-going support.