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England to abstain for FIFA presidential vote

SoccerNews in World Cup 19 May 2011

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The Football Association (FA) will not vote in FIFA’s presidential election after the world governing body was accused of corruption.

Former FA chairman David Triesman earlier this month told a UK parliamentary committee that four members of a 22-man voting panel for the 2018 and 2012 World Cup hosting rights had asked for favours in exchange for their support.

England came last in their bid for the 2018 edition, which was won by Russia, while Qatar won hosting rights for the 2022 tournament.

And in response to the claims, the FA board revealed on Thursday they would not lodge a vote for either current FIFA president Sepp Blatter or opposition candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam when the top position goes up for grabs on June 1.

“The FA board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the Presidency of FIFA,” FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement.

“There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of the FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate.”

“The FA values its relationships with its international football partners extremely highly. We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both UEFA and FIFA.”

“We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football.”

Blatter is seeking his fourth term at the helm of world football’s governing body, but is facing a strong challenge from Bin Hammam, the current president of the Asian Football Confederation.

Needing all the support he can get, Blatter said he could not understand the FA’s decision.

“It’s a little bit strange when the number one association in the world, which is the FA, and they have in front of them two candidates and they cannot make a decision (as to) which one they could support,” he said.

Blatter told Bernstein earlier this month that England held a responsibility to the sport because the game was founded there.

The 75-year-old said he felt he had got his message through to the FA chairman.

“They have a lot of prerogatives and rights, but it’s also a responsibility for them and I think he got the message but I don’t know if the whole board is the same way.”

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