New bribe claims rock FIFA

[the_gun]

New allegations that two FIFA executive committee members were paid $US1.5million ($1.4million) to vote for Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid emerged on Tuesday.

The shock claims were highlighted by MPs at the culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons.

Tory MP Damian Collins said that evidence submitted by the Sunday Times, which the committee will publish, claimed that FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou from Cameroon and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast were paid $US1.5million by Qatar.

FIFA's ethics committee last year banned two other executive committee members after a Sunday Times investigation into World Cup bidding.

Collins said: "The Sunday Times' submission, and this is to be published by us later, claims that $US1.5million was paid to FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma who went on to vote for Qatar."

Collins said the submission claimed Qatar specifically employed a fixer to arrange deals with African members for their votes.

Australia was eliminated in the first round of voting for the 2022 event.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/105 ... ibe-claims

[DOC]

we all knew it was corrupt and that the details would come out eventually

I think this is the tip of the iceberg

would like to see what blatter and bin hammam say especially with the election coming up

will there be a re-vote?

[UNITEDCITY]

Qatar should lose the cup if this gets proven, 2022, should then get a new location.....Australia anyone!!!

[the_gun]

Qatar should lose the cup if this gets proven, 2022, should then get a new location.....Australia anyone!!!

here, here

[the_gun]

Pressure mounts on FIFA

Pressure is growing on FIFA to launch a full investigation into fresh allegations that six executive committee members asked for bribes or favours including a knighthood in return for World Cup votes.

FIFA's already-tarnished reputation has received another battering after the claims made by former FA and England 2018 bid chairman Lord Triesman against four FIFA top brass.

Two more FIFA members, Issa Hayatou from Cameroon and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast, were alleged to have been paid US$1.5 million ($1.38 million) to vote for Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, according to claims highlighted by MPs at the culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons.

In an astonishing morning of whistle-blowing at the inquiry, claims of 'improper and unethical' behaviour by four other executive committee (ExCo) members were made by Triesman.

Two other FIFA members, Amos Adamu from Nigeria and Reynald Temarii from Tahiti, were banned by the body's ethics committee last year.

The latest developments mean eight FIFA ExCo members - one third of the total of 24 - have either been alleged to have been or already found guilty of impropriety in relation to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

Tory MP Damian Collins said the claims against Hayatou and Anouma were contained in evidence provided by the Sunday Times - which had an undercover investigation into World Cup voting last year - and published by the committee.

Collins said: "The Sunday Times' submission, and this is to be published by us later, claims that 1.5million dollars was paid to FIFA executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma who went on to vote for Qatar."

The submission claims Qatar specifically employed a fixer to arrange deals with African members for their votes.

Triesman gave evidence of 'improper and unethical' behaviour by four other executive committee members.

He said FIFA vice-president Jack Warner asked for money -to build an education centre in Trinidad with the cash to be channelled through him, and later more money to buy Haiti World Cup TV rights for the earthquake-hit nation, also to go through Warner.

Paraguay's FIFA member Nicolas Leoz asked for a knighthood while Brazil's FIFA member Ricardo Terra Teixeira asked Triesman to 'come and tell me what you have got for me'.

Thailand's FIFA member Worawi Makudi wanted to be given the TV rights to a friendly between England and the Thai national team, said Triesman.

He added: "These were some of the things that were put to me personally, sometimes in the presence of others, which in my view did not represent proper and ethical behaviour on the part of members of the executive committee."

John Whittingdale, chairman of the committee, said he would now be writing to FIFA president Sepp Blatter to launch an investigation into the evidence 'as a matter of urgency'.

In relation to the claims about payments made by Qatar 2022, Mike Lee, the London-based public relations consultant who worked on Qatar's bid, said he was unaware of any payments being made.

Lee, formerly communications director of the Premier League, UEFA and London's 2012 Olympic bid, told MPs: "I was working at the highest level of that bid and talking at length with the chairman and ceo and saw no evidence of any of these allegations.

"My experience is I would have had a sense if such things were going on and I had no sense of that."

Blatter, rocked by arguably the biggest scandal of his career less than three weeks before running for re-election, told reporters in Zurich his own conscience was clear.

"I can't answer for members of my committee," he said.

"I can't say if they are all angels or devils but I am not in the category that has to go to any tribunal or ethics committee. My conscience is clear."

Football Association general secretary Alex Horne said it was 'too early to say' whether the FA would be calling for the ballot in December to be retaken.

The latest allegations may help neither Blatter nor his rival for FIFA president Mohamed Bin Hammam in the election on 1 June.

Both candidates have spoken about cleaning up the image of FIFA but while Blatter must take some responsibility for the World Cup bid process, Bin Hammam was a driving force behind the Qatar bid.

Of all the nine countries bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, Qatar is the only one subject to direct allegations that bribes were paid to secure FIFA members' votes, although there is no suggestion Bin Hammam was involved in any wrongdoing.

The Sunday Times' submission also alleges that Adamu had been offered money by Qatar before he was barred from voting.

The submission states: "Last December we spoke to a whistleblower who had worked with the Qatar bid.

"The whistleblower claimed Qatar had paid US dollars 1.5million to two FIFA ExCo members - Hayatou and Jaques (sic) Anouma of the Ivory Coast - to secure their votes.

"It was further alleged that a similar deal had been struck with Amos Adamu, although he was prevented from voting because he was suspended following our original article."

The Sunday Times also criticised FIFA for not investigating allegations of bribes paid by the Morocco bid team during the race to secure the 2010 World Cup, which was eventually won by South Africa.

"(Former FIFA ExCo member Ismail) Bhamjee also claimed that Jack Warner, the FIFA ExCo member for Trinidad and Tobago, had been paid USD 1million by Morocco for his vote.

"There are only 24 ExCo members and they are effectively the ruling body of FIFA. It therefore seems extraordinary that such serious allegations by and about such senior officials were effectively swept under the carpet."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/105 ... ts-on-FIFA

[Knight15]

Wonder how Johnnie will try and spin this one

Oh wait he left

[Chade]

Dunno that anything could really rock FIFA...

It's a bit of a laugh. 6 months after being caught giving out honours for cash, the UK says that's not how they play. Er, yeah, right.

Qatar should lose the cup if this gets proven, 2022, should then get a new location.....Australia anyone!!!

here, here

Where?

[DOC]

should be a revote with every country accused of bribery excluded and every exo member accused excluded from voting, this has become a joke, i think bin hammam will be implicated soon, he was the driving force behind qatar so i'm just waiting for something to surface

[the_gun]

i think every nation that is a member of fifa should vote. 208 votes. would be much harder to bribe such a large amount of individuals.

[Googes]

i think every nation that is a member of fifa should vote. 208 votes. would be much harder to bribe such a large amount of individuals.

+1

[DOC]

i think every nation that is a member of fifa should vote. 208 votes. would be much harder to bribe such a large amount of individuals.

i dont think so, bribing is then more widespread and therefore harder to track, if we cut out those implicated and the nations accused then its down to 18 odd voters and a couple of nations left on the bid

[the_gun]

even if a few countries are bribed with 208 votes it wont have much effect due to the large number of votes. i do believe it could work well.

[DOC]

even if a few countries are bribed with 208 votes it wont have much effect due to the large number of votes. i do believe it could work well.

the whole point is to concentrate it so therefore its hard to bribe, the wider the scope the more bribing, the aim is no bribing

[the_gun]

even if a few countries are bribed with 208 votes it wont have much effect due to the large number of votes. i do believe it could work well.

the whole point is to concentrate it so therefore its hard to bribe, the wider the scope the more bribing, the aim is no bribing

yeah good point... hopefully fifa will come up with something.

[UNITEDCITY]

FIFA will demand more money from bribes and better cover up and privacy claws

[Old Master]

i think every nation that is a member of fifa should vote. 208 votes. would be much harder to bribe such a large amount of individuals.

That would be more democratic but firstly every country should vote for 3 candidates selected by it's members in a supervised election process.

Ideally each country would select a first, second and third choice with points 3,2,1.

The country getting the most points hosts the Finals - simple really!

Unfortunately it will never happen because the corruption is too enshrined at all levels of FIFA.

[God is an Englishman]

should be a revote with every country accused of bribery excluded and every exo member accused excluded from voting, this has become a joke, i think bin hammam will be implicated soon, he was the driving force behind qatar so i'm just waiting for something to surface

In that case, I hereby accuse every country of bribery except for England and australia.

[DOC]

should be a revote with every country accused of bribery excluded and every exo member accused excluded from voting, this has become a joke, i think bin hammam will be implicated soon, he was the driving force behind qatar so i'm just waiting for something to surface

In that case, I hereby accuse every country of bribery except for England and australia.

sorry should have said accused and proven guilty

[ozzie owl]

If it is proved correct and an outside accounting/consultant should re-examine all the bids.

[Hawkseys Double]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9482440.stm


England hints a breakaway....

[I'm confused]

In that case, I hereby accuse every country of bribery except for England and australia.

[admin]

FIFA has been rocked by the allegations of bribery for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup voting. See below:

1) FA Chairman Lord Triesman

Former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has lifted the lid on the 2018 World Cup bidding process, accusing four FIFA executive committee members of requesting gifts in return for votes.

Nicolas Leoz, Jack Warner, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi were all singled out by Triesman as he spoke before MPs at the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in the House of Commons. Triesman confirmed he will be taking the claims to FIFA.

In the most astonishing allegation, Paraguay's Nicolas Leoz is said to have demanded a knighthood in return for voting for England's 2018 bid.

Warner, meanwhile, reportedly requested £2.5 million to build an education centre in Trinidad - with the cash to be channelled through him - before later asking for £500,000 to buy Haiti's World Cup TV rights for the earthquake-hit nation, again with the money to go through him.

It is alleged that Brazil's Teixeira told Triesman on November 14 in Qatar: "Tell me what you can do for me when you come to see me," while Thailand's Worawi Makudi is accused of wanting the TV rights to a friendly between England and his national team.

Triesman said: "These were some of the things that were put to me personally, sometimes in the presence of others, which in my view did not represent proper and ethical behaviour on the part of members of the executive committee.''

2) Sir David Richards

The Football Association's international committee chairman Sir Dave Richards has revealed to ESPNsoccernet that he was astounded at the suggestions Jack Warner made in front of Lord Triesman, as the former bid leader for the 2018 World Cup was making his pitch for the FIFA executive committee member's vote.

Sir Dave, a vastly experienced football politician involved with both the FA and Premier League, was present at the meeting and swore at Warner when he heard the suggestions, which Lord Triesman has branded a bribe for a World Cup vote for England's 2018 bid.

Sir Dave told ESPNsoccernet: "Yes, I can confirm that I was present at that meeting with Mr Jack Warner when he stated that as England had led the world in education that the FA should start a worldwide education programme, building blocks around the world - and should start in Trinidad and Tobago.

"What I said is not repeatable....Yes, it was an unsavory word."

Lord Triesman claimed FIFA vice-president Warner suggested the FA fund an education centre in Trinidad with the cash to go through him, and later £500,000 to buy Haiti's World Cup TV rights for the earthquake-hit nation, also to go through Warner.

3) The Sunday Times

Yesterday , the Commons committee posted on the parliamentary website a letter from The Sunday Times that presented fresh details of different occasions when FIFA members discussed selling votes.

The previously unpublished evidence was part of an investigation that led to the suspension of two Fifa officials who were caught on camera last year seeking money.

The written evidence told of "secret recordings of six further former or current FIFA officials who were offering to work as fixers for the World Cup bid. Each one of the six suggested paying huge bribes."

Two FIFA executive committee members were banned from the vote after the revelations in The Sunday Times last October.

Six others are now under question, which means that the behaviour of a third of the original 24-man committee is in doubt.

Two of the paper's investigative journalists told the committee in the letter that a whistleblower who had worked for the Qatari bid told them in December that the country "had paid $1.5 million to two FIFA ExCo members - Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast - to secure their votes''.

[DOC]

we all knew it was dodgy and was bound to come out, i wonder what part bin hammam plays and how blatter may use this to stay in power

[Hawkseys Double]

REVOTE!

[DOC]

allegations need to be proven first

[Hawkseys Double]

allegations need to be proven first

I know. Still, it's obvious someone got a bit of pocket in this all. So its only a matter of time before they are proved guilty

[Old Master]

i think every nation that is a member of fifa should vote. 208 votes. would be much harder to bribe such a large amount of individuals.

That would be more democratic but firstly every country should vote for 3 candidates selected by it's members in a supervised election process.

Ideally each country would select a first, second and third choice with points 3,2,1.

The country getting the most points hosts the Finals - simple really!

Unfortunately it will never happen because the corruption is too enshrined at all levels of FIFA.

Taking the delegates out of the equation is one way of reducing the effect of bribery.
It's a lot harder to bribe all the members than it is to bribe a single person.

[Bomber]

Form a breakway World Cup!

[Wraith]

I vote Alex as President.

[Bomber]

I vote Alex as President.

Bob might not like that.