FIFA could leave England's 2018 World Cup bid waiting after 'cash for votes' allegations

By Sportsmail Reporter
Updated: 04:16 EDT, 25 October 2010

FIFA could come under pressure to postpone the race to host the World Cup as they extend their investigation into cash for votes to include allegations by former general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen.

He is alleged to have identified top officials he claimed could take money in return for votes.

Zen-Ruffinen, who worked for 16 years at FIFA before falling out with president Sepp Blatter, is alleged to have told undercover reporters what it would take to win the backing of some of the members of the FIFA executive committee who will vote on who should stage the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Zurich on December 2.

Allegations: Michel Zen-Ruffinen (right) next to FIFA chief Sepp Blatter

The reports appeared in the Sunday Times and were supported by secret footage apparently with undercover reporters who were posing as lobbyists.

Zen-Ruffinen, 51, allegedly suggests some of the members can be influenced by money, another by 'ladies', while another was 'the biggest gangster you will find on earth.'

Zen-Ruffinen allegedly adds that the Spain-Portugal bid to host the World Cup in 2018, for which England are also bidding, has struck a deal with Qatar to exchange votes, although Qatar have denied the allegations.

Suspended: Nigerian Amos Adamu

FIFA had already agreed to investigate the issue of vote buying after similar allegations a week ago resulting in the suspension of Nigerian FIFA executive Amos Adamu who allegedly guaranteed his vote for £500,000.

But these new claims pile further pressure on Blatter who in May will again run to remain in office at the age of 74.

A FIFA official confirmed yesterday that the new allegations would come under the same investigation as the one already launched by the ethics committee last Wednesday when its chairman, Claudio Sulser, said: 'We are determined to have zero tolerance for any breach of the code of ethics.'

Zen-Ruffinen has claimed many of his comments were simply 'impressions' of the goings on inside FIFA circles and that he had 'exaggerated' comments to keep the businessmen interested.

The 2018 contest to host the World Cup is between England, Russia and the joint bids of Belgium-Holland and Spain-Portugal.

The 2022 race involves the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Qatar.