Football chiefs accused of corruption over 2018 finals bid

The head of England's failed 2018 World Cup bid today revealed a culture of bribery and corruption at the heart of the global game.

Lord Triesman claimed England's bid team had been approached on four different occasions by Fifa executives seeking sweetners during the bidding process.

The most serious allegations concerned Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, who apparently sought £3 million for a football centre and television rights.

Lord Triesman also claimed that the president of South America's football governing body, Nicolas Leoz, sought a knighthood.

A Brazilian official was said to have asked "what do you have for me", while a Thai delegate also sought control of television rights.

Asked directly whether there was a linkage between the approaches and backing for England's bid, Lord Triesman said the first three "took place absolutely in the context of formal approaches about the bid", while in the fourth it would have been expected that a link would have been made.

Using Parliamentary privilege to make the explosive claims during a Commons select committee hearing, he said the approaches fell "way below" standards expected in Britain.

But crucially he did not report them to Fifa, world football's governing body, amid fears "we would have burned off our chances" of success.

Tory MP Therese Coffey, a member of the committee, told Lord Triesman she was "appalled" they were not reported immediately.

England secured just two votes from Fifa committee members despite last-minute interventions from David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William. The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Qatar.