Australia forced to defend World Cup bid after allegations

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

June 29 – Australia’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup has been fiercely defended following allegations published in the Sydney Morning Herald, claiming they had given pearl necklaces to the wives of the FIFA Executive Committee and offered an all-expenses paid trip to one of the voting members.

The front page story in Wednesday’s (June 30) edition is entitled “Secret millions grease World Cup bid” but Football Federation Australia (FFA) Ben Buckley, in a letter written to Nick McKenzie, one of the journalists who has written the article, claims that they have done nothing wrong.

Buckley wrote: “FFA has at all times complied with its obligations under relevant agreements, laws and regulations.

“This includes its funding agreement with the Federal Government as well as FIFA’s bidding regulations governing all bidding nations.

“FFA is completely transparent in its dealings with Government and has provided all information regarding the bidding process requested by Government.

“Our financial reporting in respect of the Bid is in accordance with Australian accounting standards, independently audited and complies with our funding agreement with the government.”

Buckley defended the involvement of consultants in Australia’s bid.

He wrote: “FFA and Australia is engaged in a bidding process for the world’s biggest sporting contest, one that would deliver unparalleled benefits to the country.

“The nation is committed to this exercise, including the unconditional support of all political parties and Governments at all levels.

“The bidding process is highly competitive, sophisticated and complex and Australia is up against competitors from longstanding football world powers and countries with huge assets and economies.

“In this context FFA has to marshall the greatest resources possible to have a genuine chance of success.

“This requires the input and expertise of international consultants with specific experience in the area of bidding for major football events.

“FFA has engaged such experts to maximise its chances of winning, including the consultants to whom you refer.

“However you may choose to portray these consultants or regurgitate unsubstantiated stories. written by others in the past, these consultants have been and remain invaluable assets to our bid.

“FFA has engaged a number of Australian and international consultants to assist in presenting its bid.

“Each consultant was selected based on their expertise and experience in international football and major sporting events.

“The scope of areas covered by such consultants includes accommodation, bid book design and production, cost planning, economic analysis, engineering, environment, event planning and coordination, financial analysis, government relations, international advocacy, international relations, marketing, project management, security, stadium design and transport.

“FFA has provided all information requested by the Government in respect of the engagement of consultants, including services provided and their fees.”

Buckley also defended the giving of gifts to members of the FIFA’s Executive Committee, including their wives, which he revealed have included boomerangs, Drizabone jackets, Australian wines, scarves, beanies, RMWilliams belts and wallets.

He wrote: “It is a widely accepted, common practice amongst Governments, many businesses and sporting organisations to provide symbolic gifts to visiting international delegations.

“Gift giving as part of the FIFA World Cup bidding process is a permitted and common practice.

“FIFA has specific guidelines confirming this.

“FFA has at all times complied with these guidelines, including the FIFA Code of Ethics and other bidding regulations.

“At the FIFA Congress in Sydney in May 2008, prior to the formal bidding process, gifts given by FFA included Paspaley cufflinks and pendants.

“In all cases, gifts given are specifically selected as symbolically representative of Australian culture and are consistent with FIFA’s regulations relating to gift giving.”

Buckley also denied offering an all-expenses paid trip to Guatemala’s FIFA Executive Committee member Rafael Salguero (pictured) and his wife to Australia this year just to mark his birthday.

He wrote: “FFA does not offer holidays to any individuals or organisations.

“FFA regularly extends invitations to various individuals and associations to attend matches, coaches conferences and meetings with government and others.

“This is an important plank of FFA’s objective of connecting with the football world and building key relationships given Australia’s relative historical isolation in football terms.

“All invitations extended are football related and intended to promote Australia, including its bid, and its relations with fellow FIFA members.

“We can confirm that these invitations have included one to Mr Rafael Salguero to inspect Australia’s infrastructure and facilities.

“At this stage Mr Salguero has been unable to attend.

“A standing invitation exists for all senior FIFA officials to visit Australia at their convenience.”

Buckley’s letter also reveals that Australia withdrew its bid to host the 2011 Women’s World Cup – which was eventually awarded to Germany – because the event would have lost “ten of millions” dollars, not because they hoped it would win them votes to stage the 2022 World Cup.

He wrote: “FFA took the decision to withdraw its bid to host the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup solely on the basis of independent professional advice and analysis from PwC (Priceweatherhouse Coopers) that indicated the event would incur a deficit of tens of millions.

“There is no agreement or condition of agreement that requires FFA to withdraw its 2011 FIFA Women”s World Cup bid in return for support of FFA’s FIFA World Cup bid.”

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