A South Korean candidate to take over FIFA leadership should Sepp Blatter step down in February has proclaimed his innocence amid word that the international football body could move to suspend him. On Tuesday, Chung Mong-joon said FIFA's Ethics Committee had launched an investigation into whether in 2010 he had tried to help South Korea win its unsuccessful bid to host the 2022 World Cup by proposing a $777 million (694 million euro) fund to support international football.

"Ultimately, I will prevail and will be vindicated," said Chung, a scion of the Hyundai industrial conglomerate. Chung said that the move to suspend him for up to 19 years was "unfair," alluding that President Blatter was behind it.

"People say FIFA's Ethics Committee is Mr. Blatter's 'hitman.' They never hit him but only those who challenge Mr. Blatter."

Chung said he faces a 15-year suspension if he's found guilty of exchanging money or personal favors, and a further four years for defaming the committee.

"The fundamental reason why I am being targeted is that I aimed straight at the existing power structure of FIFA," he said.

In recent weeks, Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation into longtime FIFA boss Blatter. Some sponsors have called on him to quit, but others have stopped short.

Blatter's right hand at FIFA, Jerome Valcke, has been suspended in the course of the investigation, as has former US FIFA official Chuck Blazer and Trinidadian Jack Warner.

mkg/msh (Reuters, AFP)