Fifa meets to discuss World Cup contests
The executive committee of football's governing body, Fifa, has begun a two-day meeting which could impact on the scandal-hit 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests.
Fifa president Joseph “Sepp” Blatter chaired the meeting at its Zurich headquarters on Thursday, which was expected to consider delaying one or both World Cup decisions until more credibility and public confidence has been restored to the process.
It follows allegations of bribery and corruption involving top Fifa officials, Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii, and two of the nine bidders.
On arriving, vice-president Chung Mong-Joon of South Korea said reporters he expected a “constructive and productive” meeting.
Fifa’s ethics committee is examining the evidence of alleged corruption discovered by the British Sunday Times newspaper. The panel also is investigating two bidders for alleged collusion in the 2018 and 2022 elections, and three former Fifa executive committee members who were reported saying voters’ support was for sale.
In other scheduled business, Fifa’s executive will receive a progress report on preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and discuss ongoing problems in its relations with some national members, including Nigeria, Togo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
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