Fifa presidential candidate Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa has called allegations he was complicit in the torture of footballers "nasty lies".
Sheikh Salman has been accused by Bahraini human rights groups of helping to identify players and other athletes involved in 2011 democracy protests.
He was head of the Bahrain Football Association and a member of the ruling royal family when security forces put down mass Shia-led protests calling for political reforms.
Several people died, while others were arrested, detained and tortured.
"I cannot deny something that I haven't done," the 49-year-old told BBC Sport.
"Such accusations are not just damaging, it's really hurting. Some people have agenda on their table."
Sheikh Salman added: "It's not just damaging me, it's damaging the people and the country.
"These are false, nasty lies that have been repeated again and again in the past and the present."