Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Independent Head of Integrity Mohammad Ali Al Kamali has written to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recommending the opening of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the prosecution of former Guam Football Association President Richard Lai.
On April 27, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York, Mr Lai pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud conspiracy with regards to the 2011 FIFA presidential election and an attempt to gain control of the AFC and influence FIFA. He also admitted to a charge of wilful failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts.
Mr Kamali, who was elected at the AFC's 27th Congress in Manama, Bahrain, last week, said today: “The allegations contained in Richard Lai's indictment are, if substantiated, extremely serious. The AFC, which has placed good governance and integrity at the centre of its Vision and Mission, is duty bound to investigate.”
While the investigation is ongoing, the AFC will not give any further details or make any further comment.