Addo hits back at Fifa

By Osasu Obayiuwana
BBC Sport

Addo said he is the victim of a vendetta by Fifa chieftains

Disgraced Caf official Farah Addo has claimed that his 10-year ban from football was motivated by Fifa officials bent on soiling his image.

Addo, a member of Caf's referee's commission and former president of the Somali Football Federation, was sanctioned by Fifa's disciplinary committee for diverting funds given to Somalia under their Financial Assistance Programme.

But in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport from Kenya, Addo insisted he was innocent of the charges levelled against him.

Fifa's decision is unjust and an assassination of my character Farah Addo

"Fifa's decision is unjust and an assassination of my character. I am an honest man and against all forms of corruption.

"I have been spending my own money on Somali football and have never stolen any funds given to the country by Fifa," Addo said.

The former Caf first vice-president believes his criticism of Sepp Blatter's election to the Fifa presidency in 1998 and 2002 is responsible for his current problems.

Addo claimed that some delegates had been offered bribes to throw their support behind Blatter's ascension to Fifa's top post.

"The decision to ban me was clearly motivated by revenge.

Addo says his criticism of Blatter is responsible for his fate

"Everyone knows my views about the 1998 and 2002 Fifa elections and this ban results from that."

Although Fifa's ban precludes him from holding any official position in football, Addo is confident that he would continue to play a role in Caf and his national association.

"This decision will not work in Somalia and I am very sure that I would continue to receive the support of my colleagues in Caf.

"I would not have been in Caf for 24 years if I was dishonest."

Addo hopes that Fifa's appellate body would favourably review his case.

"I have written a letter of appeal and I hope that they will be clearer than the disciplinary committee."