Asian Olympic leader Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait has denied claims made in a U.S. federal court that he bribed FIFA voters.
In a statement, Sheikh Ahmad, a member of FIFA's ruling council, said he was "very surprised by such allegations and strongly denies any wrongdoing."
The statement was published by the Olympic Council of Asia, which he has led since 1991.
FIFA audit committee member Richard Lai, an American citizen from Guam, pleaded guilty on Thursday to wire fraud conspiracy charges related to bribes that helped officials gain influence in international football.
Although Sheikh Ahmad was not named in Department of Justice and Brooklyn court documents, Lai's hearing transcript quoted him saying "co-conspirator #2 was also the president of Olympic Council of Asia."
The OCA has said Sheikh Ahmad "will vigorously defend his integrity and reputation."