Fifa call for evidence over bribe allegations

'Extreme concern' has been voiced at Fifa (AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

FIFA's leaders today expressed "extreme concern" at the latest allegations of World Cup bidding corruption and have asked the Football Association to provide a full report of the claims.

Former FA and England 2018 chairman Lord Triesman yesterday alleged in Parliament that four FIFA members had asked for money or favours in return for World Cup votes.

Two other FIFA members were separately alleged to have been paid 1.5million US dollars to vote for Qatar's 2022 bid.

FIFA said in a statement: "In his letter to the FA, the FIFA secretary general [Jerome Valcke] expresses the extreme concern of FIFA and the FIFA President at the latest allegations questioning the integrity of some FIFA Executive Committee members in connection with the bidding procedure for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups."

FIFA's statement continued: "He adds that to be in a position to examine the situation thoroughly and with clear-sightedness, FIFA asks the FA to submit a complete report from Lord David Triesman, by means of which the latter would relate his declarations fully and provide any and all documentary evidence at his disposal."

The allegations of bribes paid for votes for Qatar were contained in a submission to the culture, media and sport committee by the Sunday Times.

The FIFA statement went on: "The FIFA secretary general has also sent a letter to The Sunday Times to ask the newspaper to provide FIFA with any piece of evidence with regard to the statements made to MP John Whittingdale.

"The Sunday Times had already provided world's football governing body with all of the evidence and documentation at its disposal. Nevertheless, FIFA asks the English newspaper to submit as soon as possible any other piece of evidence that it may be in possession of and which has not yet been sent to FIFA. In particular, reference is made in the letter to the allegations regarding a 'whistleblower who had worked with the Qatar bid', who allegedly made some declarations regarding the matter in question."