FIFA bans Caribbean official Klass for 26 months

Zurich: FIFA has banned Caribbean soccer official Colin Klass for two years and two months for his part in a bribery scandal involving former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.

FIFA says its ethics committee found Klass guilty of breaching confidentiality and not disclosing "evidence of violations of conduct." Klass loses his seat on FIFA`s beach soccer committee and the presidency of Guyana`s soccer federation. He was fined $5,500 and can appeal. FIFA is investigating another 15 Caribbean officials it suspects were offered or accepted $40,000 cash payments to back bin Hammam`s challenge to FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Those cases likely will be heard next month. Bureau Report