Blatter in FIFA probe over Caribbean bribes

(ESPN): FIFA placed its own president, Sepp Blatter, under investigation Friday in a widening bribery scandal just days before Blatter faces re-election against Mohamed bin Hammam. With both candidates now under investigation, it is unclear whether Wednesday's election will proceed. Blatter is accused of ignoring alleged bribes to Caribbean voters, and soccer's governing body said he must submit a statement by Saturday before appearing at an ethics committee hearing in Zurich the next day. "I cannot comment on the proceedings that have been opened against me," Blatter said in a statement released by his advisers. "The facts will speak for themselves."

Bin Hammam denies accusations of buying votes. The Qatari official contends there is "increasing evidence of a conspiracy" against him, and he is confident the ethics panel will "see through this tawdry maneuver" to remove him from the race.

Namibian judge Petrus Damaseb, who will chair the ethics hearing, is to deliver the panel's initial findings Sunday night at FIFA headquarters. The candidates could be banned if wrongdoing is found or provisionally suspended if the panel needs more time to study evidence.

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