FIFA President Sepp Blatter addresses a news conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich in this May 9, 2011 file photograph. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam called on Thursday for incumbent Sepp Blatter to be included in the world governing body's current bribery investigation.

Bin Hammam, who is due to stand against Blatter in next Wednesday's election and has denied any wrongdoing, is set to face FIFA's Ethics Committee on Sunday.

The 62-year-old Qatari is being investigated along with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner following claims they broke the governing body's strict code of ethics at a meeting in West Indies earlier this month.

Asian Football Confederation chief Bin Hammam has called for any FIFA investigation to include Blatter as well.

A statement from his office read: "As the recent accusations also mention incumbent FIFA president Joseph Blatter, Mohamed Bin Hammam has requested that the investigation be extended to include Mr Blatter.

"It is no coincidence that these allegations have been made only a few days before the 61st FIFA Congress, at which the new FIFA president will be elected."

The statement continued that Bin Hammam was "surprised by yesterday's accusations of bribery.

"He rejects these accusations and confirms that they are without substance.

"The accusations also contain statements according to which Mr Blatter, the incumbent FIFA president, was informed of, but did not oppose, payments allegedly made to members of the Caribbean Football Union.

"Mr Bin Hammam has therefore requested that the investigation by the Ethics Committee be extended to include Mr Blatter himself."

Bin Hammam claims that the timing of the accusations is no coincidence.

"The timing of the accusations so close to the election of the FIFA president on June 1, 2011 suggests that they are part of a plan to damage Mr Bin Hammam and force him to withdraw as a candidate for the FIFA presidency."

The statement concludes: "I am not at all afraid to answer any questions that the Ethics Committee may have for me at the hearing next Sunday. As long as the Committee guarantees a fair process, I have nothing to fear."