FIFA executive committee member Michel D'Hooghe has described the £16,000 watches given to officials at the 2014 World Cup by the Brazilian federation as the most "poisonous present" he has ever received.
The world governing body's medical chief was the recipient of one of 65 gift bags, each containing a Parmigiani watch, from Brazil's football federation the CBF in June, which were distributed to all 28 members of FIFA's executive committee.
FIFA's ethics committee last month said accepting such valuable gifts contravened its rules and has demanded that all the watches be returned by October 24 otherwise it will launch disciplinary proceedings.
D'Hooghe, speaking at the Leaders in Sport conference in London, said: "We (FIFA's executive committee) are absolutely angry on that situation. All my colleagues on the executive committee, not one of them needs that watch.
"I have been in football 42 years and received many watches in my career. It is a classical present in football, so I did not need that watch.
"They say I received that watch. It is not true. I found that watch in a bag that was placed in our room.
"It's only after one week that I opened it, I saw there was a watch with plastic bracelet and the mark 'Parmigiano' (sic).
"For me Parmigiano is a cheese that you put on spaghetti. I thought it was a kind of Swatch (watch)."
The 68-year-old Belgian, a member of FIFA's executive committee since 1988, did not appreciate the gift, insisted there was nothing untoward in its intentions, but was happy to return it.
"The Brazilians gave a present for their centenary," he added.
"There was nothing asked in return. It was not a matter of corrupting. It was a pure present.
"What I did not like is that they gave a present of such value.
"Please never give me such presents again."
D'Hooghe gave his watch to an acquaintance at the World Cup and has had to ask for its return.
"I am to be humiliated towards that person to ask for that watch back," he added.
"I asked the person to whom I gave it to give it back."
Corruption and transparency are high on the agenda at FIFA, with calls for Michael Garcia's report on the 2018 and 2022 bid process to be made public.
"Personally I have no problem with the publication of the report," D'Hooghe said.
"But there are legal rules. You could change them (the rules) for the future, not for the past.
"Why did they say to us when they were speaking to us 'always confidential'? Why change that?"
Coca-Cola, one of the World Cup's leading sponsors, refused to wade into the debate.
Amber Steele, marketing director of Coca-Cola, said: "I am not familiar with the report.
"We believe FIFA's going to come out and say 'this is what we're doing'.
"We want them to be able to tell us: 'this is what happened, this is how we're moving forwards'."
Latest Stories
-
FIFA The Best Awards: No Ronaldo but Messi nominated for Men’s Award
6 mins -
Election 2024: ‘Ghana will win, and peace will win’ – Bawumia
20 mins -
Don’t sweep cause of ballot paper shortages in Volta Region under the carpet – NDC to EC
21 mins -
‘I can’t believe Black Stars couldn’t qualify for 2025 AFCON’ – Stonebwoy
45 mins -
Today’s front pages: Friday, November 29, 2024
56 mins -
Sharaf Mahama leads the charge for NDC’s victory in Volta Region: A beacon of hope and action
2 hours -
Do all you can to preserve Ghana’s peace – Bawumia to media, other stakeholders
2 hours -
We seek power solely for the people’s prosperity – Bawumia asserts
2 hours -
Direct flights from London to Kumasi set to begin December 3
3 hours -
Barekese Piggery and Meat Processing Factory to create 300 new jobs, benefit 700 farmers
3 hours -
‘We cannot afford business as usual on debt management’ – AGI tells incoming government
3 hours -
EC reports ballot paper shortages in 5 constituencies across Volta Region
3 hours -
Bawumia vows to address challenges in Ga State
3 hours -
Innovations needed to tackle dollarisation challenges, says AGI
3 hours -
Tax reforms must be ‘smart and achievable – AGI president demands of next administration
4 hours