Monday, 18th October 2010
FIFA will investigate allegations that two of their officials offered to sell their votes in the contest to see who will host the World Cup in 2018. Following a decision by the United States to drop out, the 2018 World Cup will now certainly be held in Europe with, England, Russia, Belgium/Holland and Spain/Portugal the bids remaining.
Reporters from British newspaper The Sunday Times, posed as lobbyists for a consortium of American companies who were keen to bring the World Cup to the US. Amos Adamu, president of the West African Football Union, is alleged to have asked for cash to build four artificial football pitches (around $800,000) for him to endorse the US bid.
The other official, Reynald Temarri, the president of the Oceania Football Confederation, was also alleged to have asked for cash, this time to fund a sports academy.
Needless to say, both officials would be in breach of FIFA rules if the allegations are proven and the world governing body has vowed to get to the bottom of the matter.
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