Exclusive interview with suspended FIFA Executive Amos Adamu
Amos Adamu, the Nigerian member of the FIFA Executive Committee suspended pending an investigation by the FIFA ethics committee, has spoken exclusively to Farayi Mungazi of BBC World Service. Today Adamu broke his silence to discuss how the allegations against him are untrue, that he welcomes FIFA's investigation into the matter and that he believes he will be cleared of any wrong-doing in order to carry on his FIFA role.
This is a transcript of the full interview. Please credit Farayi Mungazi of BBC World Service.
Farayi Mungazi: What is your reaction to your suspension and this investigation?
Amos Adamu: Well you might have known that a newspaper in London made allegations against me and FIFA did the normal thing the ethics committee will investigate this. We've met with the ethics committee and they've given us the protocols and I'm very happy about it because this will enable the whole world to know the truth of the matter. As far as I'm concerned I'm not guilty of what they are saying. But the ethics committee is a committee that is credible. FIFA is a credible organisation and I'm sure that the whole truth will come out of it. I welcome it.
FM: When you say the whole truth, you say that you're not guilty, how confident are you that you will come out of this clean because in the eyes of many, you are not?
AA: I'm very, very confident because what was pushed to the public is not a true reflection of what really transpired between me and the journalists. And I believe that this committee… we'll leave it for them. I'm not supposed to say anything about it. They will investigate it. I believe in the credibility of FIFA and I believe in the credibility of the FIFA President so I know that my reputation is intact and the investigation will prove the correct thing.
FM: You say you believe in the credibility of FIFA and in the credibility of the ethics committee, but do you believe in your own credibility because in the eyes of many people you're not a credible person at all.
AA: Oh yes...I'm sure that by the time I come out of this they will know that I'm a very credible person and I still maintain that I'm a very credible person and I believe this investigation will prove it.
FM: The FIFA President, the other day said, that there are many devils in our society and that some of those devils are found in football. Do you think he had you in mind?
AA: No no no no no. The FIFA President is a credible person and I'm sure when he makes statements he knows what he's talking about. But let's leave it at this. I know I'm a very credible person and what is more important is that this committee will do a thorough job and the whole truth will come out.
FM: Is football a corrupt business?
AA: (pause) I wouldn't say so, no.