African legends back Milla over corruption allegations (28.05.2002)
SEOUL
Two African football legends have backed Roger Milla over allegations that he was paid to lend his support to FIFA President Sepp Blatter`s re-election bid.
Milla, famed for his amazing displays for Cameroon during the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, was accused by four FIFA directors of taking 25.000 Swiss Francs (15,770 dollars) to stand by Blatter.
The FIFA directors produced official documents detailing payments made to Milla in respect of the election for the head of world`s football governing body on Wednesday.
"These people are devaluing football. They are doing more wrong to the sport than Blatter has been accused of doing," said
former Cameroon keeper Joseph-Antoine Bell from his current base in South Korea.
Former Marseille star Basile Boli added: "That would mean all the players who have lended their support, including Franz Beckenbauer and Michel Platini, are also corrupted."
The accusations will be scrutinised by Confederation of African football leader Issa Hayatou on Wednesday.
The Ivory-Coast born Boli who was capped by France, added: "Issa Hayatou doesn`t respect footballers. He is a former 400m runner, who would have you believe that he is the future of football.
"Before that happens he would have to show that African football, of which he is a president, works well."
