Chung Mong-joon accuses FIFA of not giving him "reasoned decision" for six-year ban

Chung Mong-joon has again hit out at FIFA ©Getty Images

Suspended South Korean Chung Mong-joon has accused FIFA of deliberately not giving him a “reasoned decision” as to why world football’s governing body banned him for six years, claiming not doing so is part of an attempt to scupper his fading bid for the Presidency of the organisation.

His suspension rules him out of the race to succeed Sepp Blatter when he is due to step down at FIFA’s Extraordinary Elective Congress on February 26 next year, despite his appeal to the Swiss courts for an injunction over the FIFA Ethics Committee ruling.

This was turned down on technical grounds after the court told Chung they were unable to uphold his petition due to the fact that the exact reasons for his suspension were not revealed, according to a statement from the South Korean.

Prospective candidates for the FIFA Presidency have until next Monday (October 26) to officially submit their application to run and Chung has again hit out at the governing body for what he claims is an intentional ploy to stop him entering the race.

Chung, 63, was found guilty of infringing FIFA Ethics rules related to conduct, confidentiality, disclosure and collaboration following reports into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid processes and was hit with a suspension on the same day Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were banned for 90 days.

The billionaire, whose father founded Hyundai, has threatened to sue Blatter for embezzlement, claiming he would put the money back into FIFA should he be successful, was also fined CHF100,000 (£62,000/$103,000/€90,000).

Chung Mong-joon was hit with a six-year ban the same day both FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini were handed 90-day suspensions — Chung Mong-joon was hit with a six-year ban on the same day both FIFA President Sepp Blatter, pictured, and UEFA President Michel Platini were handed 90-day suspensions ©Getty Images

“FIFA continues to sabotage my candidacy for FIFA President,” Chung’s statement read.

“As of now, I still do not know the exact basis on which they imposed a six-year ban on me, which I must have in order to appeal the unjust sanctions imposed on me by FIFA’s Ethics Committee.

“The Swiss court rejected my petition on the grounds that without the reasoned decision, it has no grounds to make a decision.

“It is highly disappointing that the Swiss court rejected my petition on the technical ground that I did not have the reasoned decision, especially given the urgency of my situation and corruption at FIFA.

“I am in a double bind: I cannot maintain my candidacy because of the unjust sanctions, but I cannot appeal those sanctions or get an injunction from the Swiss court because I do not have the reasoned decision that FIFA’s Ethics Committee has so far refused to send me.

“In the meantime, the time for me to register as a candidate is fast running out.

“Due to FIFA’s interference, it will be difficult for me to meet the October 26 deadline to submit my candidacy for FIFA President.

“However, if and when FIFA sends me its reasoned decision, I will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to expose the injustice of FIFA’s sanctions.”

Chung has also again questioned the integrity of the FIFA Presidential race, claiming it “has already been seriously undermined by the unfair and unjust interferences by President Blatter’s cronies”.

Platini was widely considered the favourite to replace Blatter before he was also suspended over an alleged "disloyal payment" made by the Swiss to the Frenchman of CHF 2 million (£1.3 million/$2.1 million/€1.8 million) for work he carried out for FIFA between 1998 and 2002.

It was revealed yesterday that anyone subjected to a provisional or definite ban will not be able to stand for President, although this could be reconsidered should sanctions be lifted ahead of February's election.