Exclusive: IOC insist they are not impeding Mexican corruption investigation

IOC officials are keen to point out how they are not protecting those accused of corruption ©AFP/Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) "fully supports" and is not trying to impede any investigation into National Sporting Federations in Mexico, the body's deputy director general Pere Miró told insidethegames today.

Miró claimed that the IOC is "not protecting or backing" those accused of corruption in the country.

They are, however, determined to prevent overbearing Government interference in sporting bodies, and want to stop the creation of rival bodies backed by the authorities but not the Olympic Movement.

Alfredo Castillo, head of Mexico's National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE), has claimed that money allocated to Federations from the Government is not being properly channeled to athletes who require it.

There are too many "rich Federation directors and poor athletes", Castillo claimed.

He has estimated that up to 300 million pesos (£12 million/$18.2 million/€17 million) could have been embezzled.

As a result, Castillo has refused to recognise the leadership of 10 bodies, and has now pledged to arrest those involved within "coming weeks".

The situation led to Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) President Carlos Padilla warning the country could be suspended by the IOC, as Kuwait was for Government interference last month, and banned from next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if independence is not restored.

Federation leaders strongly deny any wrongdoing and have criticised Castillo, a close ally of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, for "acting like an Emperor".

insidethegames revealed last week IOC autonomy delegate Patrick Hickey had written letters to the COM and the Government, also signed by Miró, warning them of a suspension if the situation does not improve.

Relations appear to have deteriorated between Carlos Padilla (left) and Alfredo Castillo ©Getty Images

The letter acknowledged sports organisations in a country are "primarily governed by their respective laws and regulations" but warned: "At the same time, they must be in a position to fulfill its mission and to exercise their responsibilities and specific duties in accordance with the basic principles and rules of the Olympic Movement, if they want to be affiliated or retain their affiliation with international sports organisations, and as a result, to participate in international sporting events.

"Government authorities and the sports legislation of a country should fully respect the principle of autonomy of the Olympic Movement, and should not micro-manage the internal governance of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and National Federations (NF)."

Mexico has since been suspended by the International Basketball Federation for Government interference, and it is possible other bodies could follow suit.

As well as basketball, other sports implicated include Federations running archery, athletics boxing and weightlifting.

Castillo has hit back, however, calling the Olympic Charter an "invention created to avoid monitoring public money" and vowing to discuss his evidence against the Federations with IOC President Thomas Bach.

Some have criticised those attacking Castillo at a time when concerns over corruption and sport are high following recent scandals within FIFA and the International Association of Athletics Federations.

"If he believes it is a criminal act, he can go to the Court of Justice and can stop paying money, as is his right," Miro, the Spaniard who is also director of NOC Relations, told insidethegames.

"If they give money, that money should be justified - we back that, to be absolutely clear.

"But he is confused and is acting like the Government of sport."

IOC deputy secretary general Pere Miró has claimed they are not standing in the way of a corruption investigation in Mexico being carried out by the Government ©Getty Images

Miró admitted he has no right to interfere with personnel involved in sporting bodies until the investigation is complete, outlining that any new Federation set-up in its place would not be recognised by the IOC and other bodies.

Retaining this autonomy is vital to restore the independence of sport and the rule of international authorities, he claimed.

The issue is expected to be discussed at next month's IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne.

Suspending Mexico from Rio 2016, however, is seen as a last resort and something that is not thought to be realistically likely at this stage.