| Lichaj, Shea Debut for US in 0-0 Draw vs Colombia Eric Lichaj and Brek Shea made their U.S. national team debuts. Coach Bob Bradley experimented with another new formation. feeds.nytimes.com |
Scotland's James Morrison shrugs off Spain defeat and insists they can still qualify James Morrison claims qualification for the 2012 European Championship remains possible despite 3-2 home defeat at home to Spain. telegraph.co.uk |
Knights jeopardise Beckham visit David Beckham's visit to the Hunter Valley is on shaky ground after a Super X turned Newcastle Jets' ground into a ploughed field foxsports.com.au |
World Cup Bidding Lurches Into Final Week ZURICH (Reuters) - The contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups lurched into its final week on Monday with more allegations of corruption against high-ranking FIFA officials and continuing uncertainty over the number of voters. feeds.nytimes.com |
New accusations of secret payments to Fifa's World Cup decision-makers • Fifa officials accused of accepting ISL kickbacks• German newspaper lists three committee members involvedTwo European newspapers say they have obtained a document naming three Fifa executive committee members who allegedly received secret payments from world football's former marketing agency.The allegations come three days before the trio are to take part in Fifa's vote on the hosts for the 2018 and 2002 World Cups. Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung identify them as Ricardo Teixeira of Brazil, Nicolás Léoz of Paraguay and Issa Hayatou of Cameroon.The reports say the men received kickbacks from the marketing agency ISL from 1988-99. ISL went bust in 2001. They say they obtained the same document that the BBC plans to feature in a Panorama documentary being aired tonight.Tonight the BBC reported that its Panorama programme would detail the payments allegedly made to the three officials.According to the BBC, Léoz, the head of South America's football confederation was named in court papers in connection with payments totalling $130,000 (£83,000). But Panorama claims to have obtained a confidential ISL document which lists 175 secret payments. It is alleged to show that Léoz was paid a further $600,000 (£384,000 using current conversions) in three instalments of $200,000. Léoz did not respond to requests for comment on Panorama's allegations.The second Fifa official named by the programme is Teixeira, head of the Brazilian Football Confederation which is responsible for staging the 2014 World Cup. Panorama claims the ISL list shows a front company in Liechtenstein called Sanud received 21 payments totalling $9.5m (£6m). Teixeira was closely linked to Sanud by an inquiry of the Brazilian senate in 2001.The list obtained by Panorama also includes details of 100,000 French Francs (£12,900) paid to Hayatou, the Fifa vice-president representing football in African nations. Hayatou also did not respond to the allegations when contacted by Panorama. Fifa also declined interview requests to address the allegations.FifaFootball politicsWorld Cup 2018World Cup 2022guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |