Fifa Probes Triesman 2018 Claim

Football world governing body FIFA is set to investigate ex-Football Association chairman Lord Triesman’s comments over the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.

A statement read: ‘FIFA can confirm that secretary general Jerome Valcke has requested its Ethics Committee to examine the alleged statements made by Lord Triesman in relation to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.’

Lord Triesman stood down as chairman of both The Football Association and England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup after becoming the victim of media ‘entrapment’, suggesting that Spain could drop its bid if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at this summer’s World Cup.

FIFA, whose rules ban bidders from commenting on rival campaigns, has also written to the FA asking for a report on the Triesman case.

The England 2018 team has apologised to the Russian and Spanish FAs as it tries to rescue the World Cup bid with a FIFA decision due in December.

FA board members David Sheepshanks and Roger Burden have been drafted in as acting joint-chairmen of England’s governing body, while Geoff Thompson is the new chairman of the World Cup bid.

Triesman’s resignation came only two days after former England captain David Beckham had helped the FA submit a 1,752-page bid book as they try to persuade FIFA to award England the 2018 World Cup.

A European bid is tipped to get the 2018 tournament with England up against Russia and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.

The other bidders, although they are mainly focused on the 2022 tournament, are Australia, the United States, Japan, Qatar and South Korea.