LAUSANNE (AFP) - The Ethics Panel of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced Tuesday to suspend Paolo Barelli, president of the Italian Swimming Federation (FIN), for two years.
After having imposed a provisional suspension, the Ethics Panel found multiple rule violations of Barelli as a result of the investigation of wrongdoing from the former FINA Bureau member and former Ligue Europeenne de Natation (LEN) president, swimming’s global governing body said.
According to a FINA statement, Barelli signed a contract between LEN and FIN, which would benefit the latter by between 500,000 and 1,500,000 euros.
The appeal chamber of the Italian Court of Audit also found the expenses of almost half a million euros from the Italian Olympic Committee, on behalf of FIN, caused “pecuniary damages”.
“Following hearings and extensive consideration of the allegations, the FINA Ethics Panel unanimously decided to impose sanctions that ban Mr Barelli from taking part in any aquatic-related activities under the auspices of FINA or its members. Mr Barelli has been banned for a period of two years starting from September 14, 2022, the date of the provisional suspension previously imposed,” the release stated.