AFC president bin Hammam denies corruption charges

FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam "completely denied" wrongdoing yesterday after football's governing body announced it was investigating him for corruption.

In a statement released to AFP, Bin Hammam said allegations against him were part of a politically motivated ploy by FIFA president Sepp Blatter as the two powerbrokers prepared for a June 1 election.

Bin Hammam, the Asian Football Confederation President, said: "If there is even the slightest justice in the world, these allegations will vanish in the wind.

"This move is little more than a tactic being used by those who have no confidence in their own ability to emerge successfully from the FIFA Presidential election. I completely deny any allegations of wrongdoing either intentionally or unknowingly."