FIFA probes Triesman bribe claim

Tue 18th May 2010 | FIFA

World governing body Fifa is to probe ex-Football Association chairman Lord Triesman's "bribery" comments over the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.

Triesman was caught up in a tabloid sting suggesting Spain could drop its bid if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at this summer's World Cup.

Fifa has also written to the FA asking for a report on the Triesman case.

The FA has vowed to co-operate fully with Fifa, whose rules prohibit bidders from commenting on rival campaigns.

A Fifa statement read: "Fifa can confirm that secretary general Jerome Valcke has requested its Ethics Committee to examine the alleged statements made by Lord Triesman in relation to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

"In addition, Fifa has sent a letter to the Football Association asking the FA to provide a report on this matter, including Lord Triesman's position.

"Fifa will not make any further comment on this matter until it has been dealt with by the Fifa Ethics Committee."

The FA's acting chief executive, Alex Horne, responded: "It's important that we can demonstrate to Fifa and the rest of the world at this time that we are serious about our bid for World Cup 2018. The gossip and the nonsense doesn't matter."

Triesman quit his role as chairman of England's 2018 World Cup bid after he was secretly recorded allegedly divulging sensitive information to a former aide.

The allegations included a claim that Spain and Russia, rival bidders for the 2018 World Cup, were conspiring to bribe referees at next month's finals in South Africa as part of efforts to win the right to host the tournament.

The former Labour peer, who also resigned from his post as chairman of the FA, accused the Mail on Sunday newspaper of engaging in "entrapment" tactics in order to cause him personal embarrassment.

"In that conversation I commentated on speculation circulating about conspiracies around the world," said Triesman. "Those comments were never intended to be taken seriously as indeed is the case with many private conversations."

The FA has apologised for Triesman's claims to the Spanish and Russian governing bodies, with copies of the letter obtained by a number of news agencies.

"England 2018 unreservedly apologises for these comments, for any suggestions of any improper behaviour on the part of any members of the Russian football family, our fellow bidders and for any express or implied criticism of the Russian Football Federation or of Fifa," part of the letter read.

"The comments reported to have been made by Lord Triesman in no way represent the views of England 2018, any employee, director, ambassador, consultant or adviser to the bid.

"England 2018 bitterly regrets any damage to the integrity of the Russian football family, Fifa or any of its member associations caused by these comments. We are available to discuss this matter at your convenience."

Before Triesman's unwanted spell in the headlines, England's 2018 World Cup candidacy was generally viewed as having a good chance of success.

But the bid team now faces an uphill task to persuade Fifa's executive to award England the event for the first time since 1966.

The revelations came only two days after the FA delegation submitted its 1,752-page bid book to Fifa.

A European bid is tipped to get the 2018 tournament with England up against Russia and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.

The other bidders, although they are mainly focused on the 2022 tournament, are Australia, the United States, Japan, Qatar and South Korea.

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