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Lord Triesman stirs ‘bribe’ controversey

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 16 May 2010

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(GSM) – The Football Association has refused to comment on a report which has its chairman Lord Triesman claiming that Spain are attempting to bribe referees at this summer’s World Cup.

The Mail on Sunday has detailed a conversation between Triesman and a former aide in which the official, who is helping to lead England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, reportedly makes the allegations of corruption.

Triesman is quoted as saying that Spain could withdraw from the race to host the 2018 World Cup if rivals Russia helped them to pay off match officials in South Africa.

And then the nation would then switch their support to the Russian bid.

“There’s some evidence that the Spanish football authorities are trying to identify the referees…and pay them,” Triesman allegedly said.

“My assumption is that the Latin Americans, although they’ve not said so, will vote for Spain. And if Spain drop out, because Spain are looking for help from the Russians to help bribe the referees in the World Cup, their votes may then switch to Russia.”

The Mail on Sunday claims the FA tried to issue a High Court injunction to prevent the publication of the story on Saturday but the governing body has not issued any statement on the controversy as yet.

The story leaves Triesman’s future at the FA in doubt, particularly given the sensitivity with which World Cup bids must be conducted.

It is also reported that Triesman discussed the controversy surrounding John Terry, when the defender was stripped of the England captaincy following allegations of an affair with the former partner of Wayne Bridge.

“I thought it was bad behaviour and very disruptive to the team,” Triesman said. “The rest of the players pretty much felt that. He doesn’t believe he did anything wrong at all. Doesn’t see it. His mum and dad tell him he didn’t do anything wrong.”

The damaging story comes only two days after the FA submitted its bid book to FIFA in an effort to persuade world football’s governing body that England would be the best choice to host the 2018 finals.

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