PARIS: Reynald Temarii has become the latest Bin Hammam denier in the wake of weekend allegations concerning Qatar’s acquisition of host rights to the 2022 World Cup finals writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Temarii was president of the Oceania confederation and a member of the world federation FIFA’s executive committee when he was caught out in cash-for-votes trap set by The Sunday Times.

The newspaper claimed last weekend that Temarii’s subsequent legal costs – as he sought in vain to avoid a ban from football – were paid by Mohamed Bin Hammam, the controversial former president of the Asian confederation.

Bin Hammam had sought to finance Temarii’s defence and appeal because, according to the newspaper, it might help Qatar’s bid.

Temarii, former French league footballer from Tahiti, has denied this.

He said: “I never supported Qatar and I never had any intention to vote for them. I did receive financial assistance from Mr Bin Hammam towards my legal fees but that was only in February 2011. ”

The World Cup vote took place in December 2010.

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