May 18 – Michel Platini (pictured), the UEFA President, has offered his support to Lord Triesman after he was forced to resign as chairman of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and of the Football Association following potentially damaging allegations about rivals Russia and Spain.
FIFA’s Ethics Committee are to investigate corruption claims about Spain and Russia made by Triesman in a private conversation to a friend, unaware he was being recorded and that they would appear in the Mail on Sunday.
Platini said the row may have damaged England’s bid but insists it can recover – and believes that Triesman deserves support.
He said: “I have a good friendship with Lord Triesman and I want to help him in his bad moment, for him as a person.
“I want to support my friend in this big problem.
“I think it is a bad thing that happened to him.”
Asked if England’s bid had been damaged, Platini said: “Maybe yes, I think you need the people who vote on your side.
“But for the bid Geoff Thompson is a good guy, England is a great country and of course it can recover and survive this.”
Another FIFA Executive Committee member, Marios Lefkaritis from Cyprus, said England’s bid could have been badly affected by the Triesman controversy.
Lefkaritis, who added that it was “evil” to have Triesman taped without his knowledge, said: “I know from my own experience sometimes you have the best and suddenly you destroy yourself, which is a tragedy.”
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