IOC vice-president Ng Ser Miang has denied he interfered in the World Sailing election, despite an Independent Panel finding him guilty ©Getty Images

International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Ng Ser Miang has dismissed a legal finding that he interfered in the World Sailing election in 2020.

The Singaporean was handed a fine of €1,000 (£885/$1,100) and served with an official warning after being found guilty by an Independent Panel, along with former World Sailing Ethics Commission chairman Dieter Neupert, a Swiss lawyer.

The Panel, chaired by London-based lawyer and former Premier League footballer Gareth Farrelly, found both guilty of failing to act with integrity and interfering in the election which saw then-President Kim Andersen of Denmark narrowly defeated.

"I resigned from the World Sailing Ethics Commission in December 2020," the 73-year-old Ser Miang, a former sailor, told the Straits Times.

"I served the World Sailing Ethics Commission as a volunteer and have done so without fear and favour, and in full compliance with its rules and regulations.

"World Sailing has no jurisdiction over me after December 2020.

"I have not taken part in any of their proceedings and reject any allegations and sanctions made against me by World Sailing."

Kim Andersen filed an ethics complaint against Ng Ser Miang and Dieter Neupert in 2020 shortly before failing in a bid to be re-elected as World Sailing President ©World Sailing
Kim Andersen filed an ethics complaint against Ng Ser Miang and Dieter Neupert in 2020 shortly before failing in a bid to be re-elected as World Sailing President ©World Sailing

Andersen lodged complaints against Ser Miang and Neupert, a Swiss lawyer, relating to their conduct whilst they were members of the World Sailing Ethics Commission, alleging that their conduct was in breach of the world governing body's regulations.

He alleged that they should not have taken part in judging his cases, and also that Ser Miang abused his position as an IOC member to try to influence the result.

China’s Quanhai Li defeated Andersen in a run-off by 68 votes to 60 following a bitter campaign.

Neupert has claimed that they plan to appeal against the Independent Panel finding, which was published on the World Sailing website last week.

"Please be informed that Ng Ser Miang and I myself have already retained the top London expert in disciplinary disputes, a barrister QC (Queen’s Consul) to appeal to the competent English courts as per the World Sailing constitution," he told insidethegames.

World Sailing have refused to comment on the findings of the Independent Panel, while the IOC have so far failed to respond to any requests for a statement.