18 Oct 2010

Full investigation of FIFA bribery report promised

1:03 pm on 18 October 2010

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has written to all members of its executive committee promising a full investigation into reports of bribery in the bidding to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.

Mr Blatter says the accusations against two members made in the Sunday Times newspaper in Britain, have had a very negative impact.

The paper says they were prepared to negotiate with reporters posing as lobbyists trying to secure a successful United States bid.

One of those reported to have promised his vote is Oceania Football Confederation president Reynald Temarii from Tahiti, who said he wanted $3 million to set up a sports academy in Auckland.

The other was Amos Adamu of Nigeria. Both men have insisted their votes cannot be influenced.

Mr Temarii says he made a mistake talking to undercover reporters, but is confident about his integrity.

FIFA is due to announce the 2018 and 2022 host countries on 2 December in Zurich. A US member of the executive committee says the decisions are unlikely to be delayed.

What's new? - Yallop

British author David Yallop published a book 10 years ago about corruption within football - How they Stole the Game.

He told Morning Report the latest scandal is proof that nothing has changed.

Yallop said he has no doubt the paper's claims are true.

But he said a FIFA investigation into itself would not be independent and would be most unsatisfactory.

NZ position

New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum, told Morning Report that Mr Temarii's comments to the paper's undercover reporter may have been taken out of context.

However, he says the incident is not a good look for football in general.

He said the Oceania Football Confederation is already committed to voting for Australia to host the 2022 World Cup.