FIFA widens inquiry over World Cup bidding scandal
FIFA has increased its probe into allegations of corruption regarding bids being made for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
The organisation had already begun to investigate two executive committee members in relation to allegations that votes were being sold to influence the outcome of where the World Cup would be held.
The investigation has now widened to see if any other FIFA official was involved in selling votes.
The organisation will also investigate the countries who are hoping to stage the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 and their bidding committees.
England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and the Netherlands/Belgium are all in the race to host the 2018 World Cup.
The results of the 2022 World Cup will be revealed along with the 2018 World Cup on the 2 December.
Australia, USA, Qatar, South Korea and Japan will all hope to hold the 2022 tournament.
24 FIFA executives will decide the outcome of both tournaments and each executive will be given one vote.
The organisation released a statement in light of the allegations which said, “An investigation has also been opened into the member associations in question as well as their Bid Committees."
The statement continued to say, “FIFA has again asked the chairman of the Ethics Committee to act without delay to take all possible steps, including the possibility of provisional measures, should the relevant conditions be met."
On Monday, the Sunday Times revealed evidence of FIFA officials Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii asking for payments for votes.
Sunday Times reporters had posed as an American consortium offering to pay money to the officials in order to secure votes.
Alec McGiven who directed England’s unsuccessful 2006 World Cup bid said, “Sadly transparency and fair play are not words that immediately come to mind when you look at the bidding process."
FIFA will be keen to show that they are trying to do everything they can to stop any form of corruption in the voting for the World Cups.
Tags: