By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
May 28 – Claims by Lord Triesman that Spain and Russia were colluding to bribe referees at this year’s World Cup have been dismissed by FIFA’s Ethics Commission, it was announced today.
The explosive allegations that Spain would drop its joint bid to host the 2018 World Cup with Portugal in exchange for Russia’s help in bribing referees in South Africa led to Triesman being forced to resign as chairman of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and the Football Association.
FIFA claimed that they had conducted a “thorough investigation” that lasted 10 days and ”found no indication that there is any basis to the allegations reported.”
FIFA said its Ethics Commission chairman Claudio Sulser had decided not to pursue the matter further after Triesman claimed the remarks, recorded by the Mail on Sunday, were not meant to be taken seriously.
A statement from FIFA said: ”Lord Triesman explained that this speculation was not an allegation on his part but was reported to him in a private capacity and was not known by either the Football Association or the England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid committee.
“This was confirmed by the FA.
“Lord Triesman added that the speculation expressed does not reflect his view or that of the FA or England 2018 and that the comments reproduced in the UK newspaper were never intended to be taken seriously.
“By means of letters sent to FIFA and to the football associations of Spain and Russia, the FA and the England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid committee have unreservedly apologised for, and expressed their ‘bitter regret’ at the declarations made by Lord Triesman in his private capacity.”
FIFA warned the countries bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup that they must be careful of their conduct.
The statement said: ”[Sulser] emphasised that it is essential to the integrity, image and reputation of FIFA and the competitions that the conduct of the member associations and the bid committees during their bid preparations complies with the highest standards of ethical behaviour.”
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