GENEVA — An anti-corruption panel advising FIFA has urged a European lawmakers' group which meets Wednesday to increase calls for reform at football's world governing body. FIFA adviser Mark Pieth suggested to the 47-nation Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe that “it could add its voice to those demanding urgent change.” Pieth wrote that some “key suggestions” by his expert group have faced resistance within FIFA, “including from European Associations.” The PACE committee dealing with sports issues will meet in Paris after this year criticizing FIFA's governance. It also called for Sepp Blatter's 2011 re-election as FIFA president to be investigated. Lawmakers are scheduled to hear witnesses including former FIFA international relations director Jerome Champagne, Transparency International sports adviser Sylvia Schenk and David Triesman, former chairman of England's Football Association. Velappan urges charges against Hammam Mohamed Bin Hammam should not escape punishment for alleged corruption despite resigning from all football-related positions and accepting a new life ban from FIFA, former Asian administrator Peter Velappan said Tuesday. Bin Hammam, the FIFA executive committee member from Qatar who challenged incumbent Sepp Blatter for the presidency last year, gave up his long-running dispute with FIFA after it found him guilty of violations of its code of ethics while head of the Asian Football Confederation. Velappan, who was AFC general secretary from 1978 to 2007, said the AFC and FIFA should pursue investigations into alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds by Bin Hammam. “This is his Christmas gift. He has no other choice but to resign, but it doesn't mean that he should be let off the hook,” Velappan said. “Fair-play should not be just on the field but also off the field. If Bin Hammam has breached fair-play, he must be made accountable and be charged.” — Agencies
