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By Simon Evans

MIAMI, May 30 (Reuters) - The soccer controversy that led to the banning of two leading FIFA officials has taken another twist with CONCACAF’s new interim president taking aim at his general secretary Chuck Blazer.

Barbadian Lisle Austin, appointed interim president on Monday in place of suspended Trinidadian Jack Warner, moved quickly by issuing Blazer with a demand to explain himself and to stop working with the U.S. lawyers who presented evidence against Warner.

It was Blazer’s report to FIFA’s Ethics Committee, which included allegations of bribery against Warner and Asian soccer chief Mohammed Bin Hammam of Qatar, that led to this week’s explosion of accusations and counter-accusations at world football’s governing body in Zurich.

In a letter to Blazer seen by Reuters, Austin gave the American 48 hours to explain by what authority he appointed Chicago-based lawyers Collins and Collins to conduct investigations into the members of CONCACAF, the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.

The letter also asks Blazer to produce minutes or documentation to show the decision was taken by the confederation’s executive committee and to stop Collins and Collins from “conducting any business” including legal advice or representation for CONCACAF.

Lawyer John Collins has had a long-standing relationship with CONCACAF and with the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Blazer was not immediately available for comment but the letter indicates the new post-Warner CONCACAF is unlikely to make a harmonious start.

On Sunday FIFA’s Ethics Committee suspended Warner and Bin Hammam pending full investigations of the charges made by Blazer.

A report by FIFA executive committee member Blazer said there had been possible violations of the FIFA ethics code in a meeting between Caribbean officials, Warner and Bin Hammam in Port of Spain this month.

Bin Hammam, who has now withdrawn his bid to take on incumbent Sepp Blatter in this week’s FIFA presidential election, and Warner denied any wrongdoing.

On Monday FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke produced an email from the president of the Puerto Rico Football Association who stated he had been offered a $40,000 inducement, which he accepted, reported and was sending to soccer’s governing body.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Labels: Blazer, Chief, CONCACAF, Reuters, turns

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)—The head of Asia’s soccer federation says he’ll wait until Friday before saying if he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Mohamed bin Hammam is president of the Asian Football Confederation. His decision is to be announced at a news conference at the federation’s Malaysian headquarters.

The 61-year-old Qatari has served on FIFA’s executive committee since 1996. Blatter has been FIFA president since 1998 and is up for re-election June 1 for a fourth four-year term.

Hammam declined to discuss his possible challenge when he met with reporters Wednesday.

Labels: announce, Asian, Chief, election, plans, soccer

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Dutchman Edwin Lugt quit as chief executive of Australia’s soccer champions Sydney FC on Tuesday, eight days before the start of the club’s Asian Champions League campaign.

Lugt, who joined the A League club in September 2009 after running the Dutch second division for several years, will stay on until the end of the ACL campaign in May, according to a statement on the team’s website (www.sydneyfc.com).

“I have thoroughly enjoyed continuing building the foundations of our club, in particular by further strengthening the relationship with our fans as well as with the wider community including grassroots football,” Lugt was quoted as saying. “Without fans there is no football club.

“I am happy that I have been able to make a contribution to this process during the last 18 months but it is now time to move on.”

Local media reports said Lugt had become increasingly frustrated after being sidelined by vice-chairman Scott Barlow, the son-in-law of Russian owner David Traktovenko.

“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Edwin for the contribution he has made to Sydney FC during his time at our club and wish him all the best for the future,” Barlow said.

The club, once considered the glamour team of the A league, suffered a terrible season as champions, finishing ninth out of 11 teams this term, and playing in front of dwindling crowds of under 10,000 at their 45,500-seater ground.

Sydney face South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings in their opening ACL Group H match at Sydney Football Stadium on March 2.

(Editing by Ossian Shine) (For the sports blog Left Field go to: http://blogs.reuters.com/sport))

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Labels: Chief, executive, quits, Reuters, Sydney

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has insisted postponing the Bahrain Grand Prix was the only way forward for fear of potential trouble during the race weekend.

In the wake of the political upheaval in the Gulf kingdom, human rights activists had threatened to target the race to further their cause, but following discussions between the crown prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Ecclestone and the FIA, it was felt to call off the race was the best course of action.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that it has now been postponed, but if you look at the way that part of the world is at the moment, it is the only thing anyone could do," Ecclestone told BBC Sport. "The crown prince and I discussed the whole thing and did what we thought was right for everybody."

He added: "We were happy to go along with more or less what he had in mind. It would have been no good us saying 'No, we're going to be there whether you like it or not'.

"The crown prince thought it was the correct thing to do, and that would be on safety obviously. Can you imagine if everybody had been there and suddenly there had been a little bit of an uprising again? It would have been bad for everyone."

Prince Salman cited his country's need for time to heal as one of the primary reasons behind the decision.

"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," said Prince Salman.

"Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula One race to a later date.

"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Bernie Ecclestone for his support and understanding.

"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together, reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."

Labels: Association, Bahrain, Chief, choice, Press

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Despite claims to the contrary, the ICC's chief executive maintained the punishments meted out to Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt were "not lenient by any stretch of the imagination".

Mr Lorgat told a press conference in Doha he felt "sadness that we had to go through such an ordeal" but was "satisfied that the sanctions are severe enough".

Amir, 18, was banned from playing for five years, while 26-year-old former captain Salman Butt was banned given 10 years with five suspended. Mohammad Asif, 28, was given seven years with two suspended.

The sentences were imposed by an independent panel after the trio were found guilty of spot-fixing during the fourth Test against England at Lord's last August.

"I believe the sanctions are appropriate," said Mr Lorgat, adding: "We worked extremely hard for the past six months and are pleased to close it before our World Cup."

Earlier one of the judging panel, Sharad Rao, told Sky News: "You are to look at it in light of the fact that it's not a match-fixing, it's a spot-fixing which does not actually affect the results at all."

Mr Lorgat agreed with that sentiment and suggested that 'zero tolerance' did not necessarily mean life bans from the sport.

He believes after initially being tarnished, the reputation of cricket had improved because of the speed of the ICC's response. He does not believe fixing is widespread.

"We've demonstrated that we will do everything that we need to do to ensure that the sport is free of corruption," he said.

The organisation has yet to receive the detailed judgment from the panel, which may suggest a reduction of the minimum sanction for spot-fixing from five years.

"Whatever learning and recommendations come out, we will consider it," said Mr Lorgat.

Meanwhile, Amir, in an interview with Pakistan's Geo TV, said Saturday was "the saddest day of my life". He continues to maintain his innocence.

Labels: Backed, Chief, Cricket, SpotFixing