By Andrew Warshaw
May 16 – Lord Triesman’s comments that led to him having to resign as chairman of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and the Football Association proves that they are scared of Russia’s bid, Alexey Sorokin (pictured), the head of their bid has claimed today.
Triesman stood down after the Mail on Sunday taped him accusing rivals Russia of colluding with Spain to bribe referees at this year’s World Cup in South Africa in return for helping their bid to host the tournament in 2018.
The comments have severely damaged England’s bid and Triesman has complained that he is a victim of entrapment.
But Sorokin claimed Triesman’s comments were “absurd” and proved the Russians had their competitors worried.
He told insideworldfootball: “It’s a very unfortunate situation.
“It’s not for me to comment on the essence of this incident, there are FIFA authorities that are perfectly apt to do this.
”I can only say it’s not the first time we have heard something absurd.
“We have not even qualified for the World Cup.
“The very fact tells us we are moving in the right direction and that the quality of our bid leaves no other alternative for our competitors to bring up these absurd allegations.”
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