IOC probes FIFA voter Hayatou

Zurich - The International Olympic Committee will open an ethics investigation into Issa Hayatou over allegations the African football official took kickbacks from FIFA's former marketing agency.

The IOC said on Tuesday it will ask the BBC to pass on evidence against the Cameroonian member that were broadcast on Monday night in a program on alleged FIFA corruption

"The IOC has taken note of the allegations made by BBC Panorama and will ask the program makers to pass on any evidence they may have to the appropriate authorities," the IOC said in a statement said. "The IOC has a zero tolerance against corruption and will refer the matter to the IOC ethics commission."

Hayatou, president of Africa's football confederation, has been an IOC member since 2001.

The BBC program alleged that Hayatou received 100 000 French francs in secret payments from the ISL marketing agency in 1995. Two other FIFA executive committee members were also accused of receiving bribes.

The IOC ethics commission has the power to recommend suspension or expulsion of members accused of misconduct.

The panel was set up in the wake of the Salt Lake City bribery scandal in the late 1990s. Ten IOC members resigned or were expelled for accepting cash, scholarships and other inducements from leaders of the winning bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Since then, the IOC has suspended several members implicated in corruption cases.

The IOC's ruling executive board next meets in January in Lausanne.