PtG Article 29.04.2010

IOC member and head of IIHF reprimanded for tarnishing Olympic reputation

IOC Executive Committee member and president of the International Ice Hockey Federation René Fasel, was Wednesday reprimanded by the IOC for securing a friend "substantial financial advantages" through a television and marketing deal.

Fasel's conduct was "likely to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic movement," said the IOC board following an investigation by the IOC ethics commission, and noted that the damage to the IOC's image was greater because of Fasel's high-profile roles in the Olympic world, AP reports.

According to AP, Fasel was treated less harshly than some lower-ranking IOC members who have been barred from serving on IOC commissions as well as reprimanded in other ethics cases.

Fasel acknowledged that he had showed poor judgment but denied having received money himself.

"Today, I realize that this likely was a case of poor judgment. For this I apologize," he was quoted as saying, writes AP.SOURCE: GuelphMercury.com