OOAK Table Tennis Forum

https://www.ittf.com/2019/03/15/ittf-ex ... m-sharara/

The International Table Tennis Federation [ITTF] Executive Committee today confirms the suspension of Mr Adham Sharara, former President and current Honorary President of the ITTF, from all activity within or in connection with the ITTF for four years.

The suspension, which commences immediately, follows ITTF proceedings that found Mr Sharara had breached his fiduciary duties during his terms of office.

The decision to suspend Mr Sharara for inappropriate misconduct was reached following a comprehensive investigation and the Executive Committee conducted the process in full accordance with ITTF’s regulations.

The Executive Committee reached this decision with a heavy heart after reviewing evidence reports, financial records and recommendations, including legal advice prepared by external legal counsel Withers KhattarWong and a report by professional services firm BDO. Actions that have led to this decision include:

Conflict of interest during the process of ITTF buying-back its commercial and marketing contracts from TMS International;
Interference on the bidding process on a major ITTF equipment contract;
Inappropriate use of ITTF funds.

The Executive Committee concluded that the ITTF suffered damage as a result of Mr Sharara’s actions. It has therefore taken this difficult decision in order to protect the integrity of the ITTF and the sport of table tennis.

Mr Sharara was informed of charges made against him and was presented with the relevant evidence. He and his legal team rejected various invitations from the Executive Committee to attend hearings to answer their questions, put forward his defence or attempt to resolve the matter in good faith.

The ITTF Executive Committee’s decision to suspend Mr Sharara has been declared final and it considers the matter concluded.

-ENDS-

Note to Editors:

Terms of Mr Sharara’s suspension as ratified by the ITTF Executive Committee:

During the period of his suspension, Mr Sharara may not participate in any capacity in a competition or activity organised by either the ITTF or any ITTF Member Federation. The suspension also applies to any international/national competition or event authorised by the ITTF or any elite or national-level sporting activity funded by the ITTF.

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I wonder if this will lead to any lawsuits to recover funds, or if some of the decision made (where there was evidence of a conflict), should be withdrawn or at least reconsidered?

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This is where everyone says 'I told you so'.

It enrages me that Sharara got away with this sort of thing for so long, and when eg Stefano Bosi tried to expose it when running for the ITTF Presidency in c. 2013 there was a concerted effort from the Sharara camp to mute him.

ITTF President Thomas Weikert: “I’m sad about the story, but we have done what we needed to do…we had to act with regard to the other associations, the IOC, and the ASOIF (Association of Olympic Summer Sports). For me and my colleagues, it’s important to counteract the impression that sports associations always sweep everything under the table. We want to be open and transparent and expose abuses.”

According to Weikert, only the years 2012 to 2016 were examined "to make the case manageable.”

Weikert did not want to comment on whether the ITTF wants to pursue criminal charges against Sharara.

https://www.sport.de/news/ne3570434/tis ... m-sharara/

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Without any details of what actually happened, we have no idea how serious this was, and what the impact of this was on our sport.

Is the investigation still ongoing. Will legal action be taken? How will they ensure this won't happen again?

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Well, this is interesting. For years I've watched the TT forums raging against Sharara, and had come to the conclusion that claims of corruption were largely motivated by dislike rather than any concrete evidence. After all, as amateurs with no real connection to the administration of the sport at the international level, what concrete evidence did we have?

As it turns out, people's allegations appear to have been justified. The link between TMS and ITTF was always questionable, and it looks as if someone did ask the right questions and uncover inappropriate dealings. Well done to the ITTF for following this through and taking the risky step of suspending Sharara. Why risky? Because they open themselves up to claims of having been either in league with him or benefiting by doing nothing for a long time.

Personally, I hope this action is a sign of a body prepared to take risks in order to do the right thing by the sport.

Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted, no?

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