FIFA wants bribery report before Cup - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

FIFA wants bribery report before Cup

18/05/2010 11:51:22 PM Comments (0)

FIFA hopes its investigation into "crazy allegations" by a senior English official that Spain is trying to bribe World Cup referees will be concluded before the tournament begins.

"We want to have something definitive before the World Cup," FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said Tuesday.

The month-long tournament kicks off June 11.

Valcke described former English Football Association head David Triesman's comments as "crazy allegations."

However, Valcke confirmed FIFA's Ethics Committee will examine the substance of Triesman's claims, as well as the possibility he broke World Cup bidding rules by criticising rival candidates.

"Now we are waiting for statements," Valcke said. "The Ethics Committee will decide which persons they want to hear and to convoke."

He suggested that the report could be completed as soon as "the next few days."

"We will do it as soon as we can and not waste any time," Valcke said.

Triesman was secretly tape-recorded by a tabloid newspaper suggesting Russia was going to help Spain bribe World Cup referees in return for support in the race to host the 2018 or 2022 finals.

He quit on Sunday as chairman of the FA and chairman of England's bid within hours of the report being published.

Europe is favoured to be awarded the 2018 finals, with England and Russia competing against joint proposals from Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium.

Australia and the United States are also in both races. Japan, Qatar and South Korea are bidding only for 2022.

FIFA's 24-member executive committee will choose the two hosts at a December 2 meeting in Zurich.

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