SPORTS
FIFA investigate newspaper bribe claims
Baku, 18 October (AZERTAC). World football`s governing body FIFA is investigating a British newspaper report that two of its officials solicited a bribe in exchange for supporting particular countries` bids to host the World Cup tournament.
In a statement, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: "FIFA will immediately analyse the material available and only once this analysis has concluded will FIFA be able to decide on any potential next steps."
Blatter was writing to members of the body`s executive committee after the Sunday Times published an article under the headline "World Cup votes for sale."
"FIFA and the FIFA Ethics Committee have closely monitored the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and will continue to do so," Blatter continued in the open letter.
"FIFA has already requested to receive all of the information and documents related to this matter, and is awaiting to receive this material," he said.
Blatter said he would not make further comments and asked committee members not to do so either.
The Sunday Times revealed that it had conducted an undercover operation, approaching six current or former FIFA officials to ask them to act as "fixers."
The newspaper said all six officials "suggested paying huge bribes to FIFA executive committee members." Two of the six asked for payment themselves.
The committees behind each country`s bids "have denied any improper approaches or wrongdoing," the article added.
FIFA are soon to announce which nations will host the World Cup tournaments in 2018 and 2022.