Zuric, Oct 10

Manilal Fernando, former Sri Lankan football chief, was banned from football for life by FIFA Wednesday following dismissal of an appeal.

Fernando, who was a former member of the FIFA Executive Board, was banned for eight years originally. He had appealed against the ban, however, the chief investigator Michael J Garcia also appealed against the leniency of the punishment, Xinhua reported.

The FIFA Appeal Committee reached a decision in favour of Garcia.

"The appeal lodged by Mr Garcia has been upheld by the Appeal Committee," read their statement.

"The lifetime ban has been imposed on Mr Fernando for violations of art. 13 (General rules of conduct), art. 19 (Conflicts of interest), art. 20 (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits), art. 21 (Bribery and corruption), and art. 42 (General obligation to collaborate) of the FIFA Code of Ethics, 2012 edition."

Fernando also had a seat on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee. 

by:IANS