It's business as usual
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) insisted it was "business as usual" Friday after FIFA suspended two of its top officials over an alleged World Cup vote-selling scandal.
The New Zealand-based confederation confirmed its president Reynald Temarii had stood aside after world football's governing body provisionally suspended him this week following an expose in a British newspaper.
OFC executive committee member Ahongalu Fusimalohi, the Tonga Football Association general secretary, was also temporarily barred from all footballing activities while FIFA's ethics committee investigates the allegations.
The OFC said it was prepared to fully cooperate with the FIFA probe and Temarii welcomed the opportunity to present his case to investigators.
"It is business as usual for OFC," it said in a statement.
The 11-nation confederation said Papua New Guinea's David Chung was standing in for Temarii.
The Sunday Times alleged it covertly filmed Temarii demanding three million New Zealand dollars (2.3 million US) to set up a sports academy in Auckland in return for his support.
Temarii, a Tahitian who once played for French club FC Nantes, has denied any wrongdoing.
Comments