BBC FIFA bribe investigation would not affect 2018 World Cup voting process: Platini
By ANITuesday, November 30, 2010
LONDON - UEFA President Michel Platini believes that England’s 2018 World Cup bid will not be affected by the BBC Panorama investigation into alleged FIFA bribes.
The BBC documentary accused three FIFA Executive Committee members of accepting “corrupt” payments and alleged that FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner was involvement in an attempted ticket-touting deal.
It was transmitted just three days before the crucial vote to decide who hosts the 2018 competition.
Platini claimed that the documentary would not directly affect the bidding process, but warned that the British media’s relationship with FIFA could jeopardize England’s chances of success.
“I don’t think this (programme) will have an effect, no - but I think what may affect the decision is the atmosphere going back a long time and what people have been writing about FIFA in the British press for many years,” the Daily Express quoted Platini, as saying.
The controversy comes as Prince William, British Prime Minister David Cameron and footballer David Beckham travel to FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich in an attempt to lobby support before Thursday’s deciding vote.
England face tough competition from Russia, Spain-Portugal and Holland-Belgium and will need to gain the support of 12 members of FIFA’s 22-strong committee. (ANI)
