Polish Volleyball Federation to suspend disgraced chairman

From left: Waldemar Sagan, Konrad Piechocki and Witold Roman after a board meeting of the PZPS, at which it was decided to put forward the motion to suspend the chairman and his deputy over alleged corruption. Photo: PAP/Bartłomiej Zborowski

The announcement came at a press conference organised by the Polish Volleyball Federation (PZPS) on Monday, during which board member Witold Roman delivered a statement on the recommendation for the suspensions.

The decision to suspend Miroslaw P. and Artur P. was made on the basis of their taking into custody by police for a period of three months.

Last week, Central Anticorruption Bureau officers raided the officers of the PZPS towards the end of last week over allegations of corruption during the organisation of the World Volleyball Championships, which were held in Warsaw in September.

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has so far refrained from commenting the detention, stating only that it is “waiting for clarification”.

Likewise, the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), of which Miroslaw P. has been the deputy chairman for three years, is also awaiting an explanation from both the PZPS and from Miroslaw P. “personally”.

Miroslaw P. and Artur P. are alleged to have taken almost 1 million zloty (around 250,000 euro) in bribes from the boss of a private security company – Cezary P. – in a rigged tender for the security of the World Volleyball Championships in Warsaw in September.

The men could face up to 12 years behind bars if found guilty of corruption. (jb)

Last names shortened in accordance with Polish privacy laws.

Source: PAP/onet.pl