FA To Hold Independent Review Of World Cup Allegations

The Football Association (FA) has announced it will hold an independent review into claims from its former chairman, Lord Triesman, that four FIFA Executive Committee members sought improper favours in return for voting for England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

James Dingemans QC will examine the evidence and speak to Triesman, who made the allegations at the House of Commons on Tuesday. On Wednesday, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke wrote to FA chairman David Bernstein and the Sunday Times, which also made allegations in relation to Qatar’s winning bid to stage the 2022 World Cup, calling for details of the claims to be sent to world football’s governing body.

“Triesman has made accusations about people involved in the process which are very serious,” Bernstein told reporters on Thursday. “It is essential that we determine as soon as possible the weight of evidence behind these serious allegations.” Dingemans has until May 27 to report, when his findings will be made public.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s bid to be re-elected to the helm of his organisation will face the vote on June 1, less than a week after the FA-backed review is due to be published, when he is up against Qatari Mohamed Bin Hammam. FIFA has asked for all possible evidence to be delivered at least four days before the start of its Congress in Zurich on May 31.

Triesman alleged that four FIFA members personally asked him for favours during the World Cup bid campaign and named vice-president Jack Warner as well as Nicolas Leoz, Worawi Makudi and Ricardo Teixeira. All four have denied the claims. England’s bid to host the tournament picked up only two votes.

Source: sportbusiness.com