Editor's Note: FIFA, football's world governing body, is now facing an unprecedented crisis following the emergence of a series of corruption allegations. One week before FIFA's presidential election, a new bribery scandal erupted that could destroy the candidacy of Sepp Blatter's only rival and punish one of the federation's longtime power brokers. On May 25, FIFA summoned two of its most high-profile members - AFC leader Mohamed bin Hammam and vice-president Jack Warner - to an ethics hearing to face allegations of corruption surrounding the Qatari official's campaign visit to Trinidad. Bin Hammam and Warner denied any wrongdoings and called for FIFA to investigate Blatter, throwing the organization's election campaign into turmoil.

Sepp Blatter, 75-year-old FIFA president, who is seeking a fourth term as the chief of the world football's governing body, the position he has held since 1998. Jack Warner, FIFA vice president and the president of Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).

Mohamed bin Hammam, FIFA committee member and Asian Football Confederation (AFC)  leader, who is Blatter's only opponent for the new FIFA presidency. Zhang Jilong, acting president of the Asian Football Association (AFC),  who has taken charge of the AFC in the absence of suspended former head Bin Hammam.

Two high-ranking officials in bribery probe

Illustrated list of FIFA executive committee members	Related reading: Bin Hammam calls for FIFA to investigate Blatter >>> Turmoil over FIFA as bin Hammam withdraws >>> FIFA report reveals bribery evidence of bin Hammam and Warner >>>
	Related reading: Warner decides not to start 'soccer tsunami' >>> FIFA urge CONCACAF to put battles behind them >>> Warner quits FIFA; case dropped >>>

FIFA presidency election: two-horse race

Sepp Blatter I have not finished my work with FIFA  >>> Blatter wants one last term  >>> Blatter hires Swiss sports writer for campaign  >>> FIFA president to meet with African officials  >>>

Mohamed bin Hammam Bin Hammam to run for FIFA presidency  >>> Asia backs bin Hammam in FIFA election  >>> Bin Hammam calls for FIFA transparency  >>> Bin Hammam vows to beat FIFA graft probe  >>>

June 11: New evidence of $40K cash gifts in FIFA scandal

A Caribbean football official acknowledged on Friday getting $40,000 in cash at a meeting which is being investigated in a FIFA bribery scandal. [Full story]

June 3: Blatter wins landslide vote, stands unopposed for 4th term

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been re-elected head of world soccer, vowing to clean up the body's tarnished image after months of explosive corruption allegations. [Full story]

May 29: Bin Hammam withdraws
Mohamed bin Hammam, Blatter's main rival for the post, ended his campaign amid a bitter fall-out over allegations of corruption. [Full story]

May 12: FIFA election campaign thrown into disarray

Just when FIFA President Sepp Blatter hoped he had put the organization's corruption problems behind him, English claims that six members of the executive committee were involved in bribery during World Cup bidding contests have thrown his bid for a fourth term into disarray. [Full story]

World Cup bidding scandal

May 31: Coke, Adidas say FIFA allegations hurt soccer

Corporate sponsors Coca-Cola Co and German sportswear maker Adidas on Monday expressed concern about allegations of corruption within FIFA and warned that it could harm the game. [Full story]

May 30: Qatar not "buying" World Cup bid

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, facing a deepening corruption scandal including accusations that Qatar bought the right to stage the 2022 World Cup, denied there was a crisis and described the problems as local difficulties on Monday. [Full story]

May 26: More corruption allegations to erupt over World Cup bidding

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said the 2022 World Cup bidding process was not a level playing field, and he believed that there will be more fallout over the World Cup bid corruption allegations leveled at FIFA executives. [Full story]

May 12: IOC calls for clean sports following FIFA scandals

IOC President Jacques Rogge said: "Sports leaders must fight against corruption to prevent the type of bribery scandal shaking football's governing body FIFA."  [Full story]

May 11: 6 FIFA members accused of wrongdoing in World Cup bidding

Six FIFA executive committee members were accused of receiving or demanding bribes during the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. [Full story]

Related reading:

Reactions to FIFA scandal

British Prime Minister David Cameron calls FIFA election a farce >>>

Prince William backs English Football Association's bid for FIFA vote delay >>>

Maradona attacks FIFA 'dinosaurs' and Blatter 'never kicked a football' >>>

IOC President Jacques Rogge urges FIFA to emerge from the current troubles stronger >>>

 

Edited by Liu Shanshan

May 27, 2011