New Fifa ethics boss Cornel Borbely 'won't take orders'

Swiss attorney Cornel Borbely has succeeded Michael Garcia, who quit in protest in December.

Garcia was unhappy at how Fifa officials handled his investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Borbely said: "I don't take any orders at all from Fifa - none whatsoever."

He added: "I alone decide whether to open, conduct and conclude an investigation and on its result."

The 36-year-old - who was Garcia's deputy - told Reuters: "I am completely independent of any Fifa officials. Otherwise I couldn't, and wouldn't, do this job. Nobody interferes - neither the Fifa executive committee nor anybody else."

Borbely headed an economic crimes investigation unit in Zurich for three years and has worked as a prosecutor for a military tribunal.

He said anyone coming forward with information about alleged Fifa corruption could do so in confidence, with any tips "carefully evaluated".

And the Swiss added: "I also have my eyes and ears open and if I see something that calls for it, of course I open a preliminary investigation."

Fifa has suffered a series of damaging allegations in recent years, including claims of corruption in the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

US lawyer Garcia was called in to investigate those allegations and a 42-page summary of his findings said there had been no wrongdoing.

However, Garcia questioned that summary and complained to Fifa about its "erroneous" representation of his work. But Fifa dismissed his appeal, prompting his resignation.

Fifa has since agreed to release a redacted version of Garcia's full 430-page report.

(BBC)