Fifa execs suspended – but Blatter survives

Fifa executive committee members Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner have been suspended from all football-related activity by the football governing body’s ethics committee – but president Sepp Blatter has escaped any sanction following counter-allegations.

Bin Hamman had thrown in his lot against Blatter in the battle to become the next Fifa president, with the election to take place on Wednesday.

The Qatari official – who announced his withdrawal from that election ahead of the ethics committee hearing on Sunday – and controversial Trinidad & Tobago man Warner have both been banned from their duties.

The pair had been accused of bribery by the pre-eminent football official in the United States, Big Chuck “I can’t fit into my” Blazer, who alleged that they had tried to offer incentives – in the nice round number of $40,000 parcels – to the Caribbean Football Union in exchange for votes for bin Hammam.

Bin Hammam in turn accused Blatter of knowing about alleged bribes, an allegation that – hold the back page! – would suggest corruption goes all the way to the top in Fifa.

The ethics committee disagreed, stating that "no investigation was warranted" against the Swiss.

With his opponents now out of the picture, Blatter – whose own ascent to power in 1998 came against the backdrop of corruption allegations – will be unopposed in Wednesday’s presidential election meaning he is certain to retain the Fifa presidency for a fourth term.

Happier times. Well, sort of ... Blatter and bin Hammam in 2009