The ethics committee of world football's governing body has set a deadline of October 24 for delegates to hand back the watches
Officials from each of the 32 countries who took part at the FIFA World Cup have been urged to hand back watches, each worth more than £16,000, by FIFA's ethics investigators.
Additionally, a Parmigiani watch was also distributed in gift bags from the Brazilian football federation in June to the 28 members of FIFA's executive committee at this summer's tournament.
But now a statement from FIFA's ethics committee has declared that the gifts are a breach of the organisation's code of ethics and should not have been accepted, adding that they want all watches returned by October 24.
"The CBF should not have offered the watches, and those who received gift bags should have promptly checked whether the items inside were appropriate and, upon discovering the watch, either returned it or... reported the matter to the investigatory chamber.
"The FIFA code of ethics plainly prohibits such gifts. Football officials may not offer or accept gifts that have more than 'symbolic or trivial value'.
"If in doubt, gifts shall not be offered or accepted. Football officials are expected to be aware of the importance of their duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities.
"In an effort to resolve this matter expeditiously, the investigatory chamber will not pursue further formal ethics proceedings in this matter against officials who submit the Parmigiani watch they received from CBF to the secretariat of the investigatory chamber by no later than October 24, 2014."
Congress: FIFA executive committee meets at the 64th FIFA congress
The ethics committee said the CBF distributed 65 gift bags, each containing a Parmigiani watch, to a group comprising the officials on the FIFA executive committee, a representative from each of the 32 national associations taking part in the World Cup and representatives from other South American national associations.
The statement declared that the matter came to light when several officials reported it to the ethics committee, handing back their watches.
"The FIFA code of ethics plainly prohibits such gifts," added the statement. "Football officials may not offer or accept gifts that have more than 'symbolic or trivial value'.
"If in doubt, gifts shall not be offered or accepted."
FIFA said it had declined to distribute watches distributed by Hublot, its official timekeeper, to executive committee members following advice from the ethics committee.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Gold Fields Ghana Foundation challenges graduates to maximize benefits of community apprenticeship programme
8 mins -
GBC accuses Deputy Information Minister Sylvester Tetteh of demolishing its bungalow illegally
20 mins -
Boost for education as government commissions 80 projects
31 mins -
NAPO commissions library to honour Atta-Mills’ memory
42 mins -
OmniBSIC Bank champions health and wellness with thriving community walk
43 mins -
Kora Wearables unveils Neo: The Ultimate Smartwatch for Ghana’s tech-savvy and health-conscious users
47 mins -
NDC supports Dampare’s ‘no guns at polling stations’ directive
50 mins -
Police officer interdicted after video of assault goes viral
1 hour -
KNUST’s Prof. Reginald Annan named first African recipient of World Cancer Research Fund
1 hour -
George Twum-Barimah-Adu pledges inclusive cabinet with Minority and Majority leaders
2 hours -
Labourer jailed 5 years for inflicting cutlass wounds on businessman
2 hours -
Parliament urged to fast-track passage of Road Traffic Amendment Bill
2 hours -
Mr Daniel Kofi Asante aka Electrician
2 hours -
Minerals Commission, Solidaridad unveils forum to tackle child labour in mining sector
2 hours -
Election 2024: Engagement with security services productive – NDC
2 hours