FIFA Write to FA/Times for Evidence in Matter of ‘Utmost Urgency’

Secretary General of world soccer’s governing body, FIFA, Jérôme Valcke sent a letter to The Football Association (FA) Chairman David Bernstein yesterday, May 11, in which he requested a complete report from Lord David Triesman on the statements that he made yesterday in front of the House of Commons, as well as any and all documentary evidence at his disposal in relation to those statements.

Triesman spoke at a parliamentary inquiry on Tuesday, May 10, claiming that FIFA members Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi had all requested bribes in one form or another, to ensure that the England 2018 World Cup bid secured their backing.

Valcke also sent a letter to The Sunday Times to ask the newspaper to provide FIFA with any piece of evidence with regard to the statements made to MP John Whittingdale.

Valcke expressed the extreme concern of FIFA and the FIFA President Sepp Blatter in his letter, at the latest allegations questioning the integrity of some FIFA Executive Committee members in connection with the bidding procedure for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

The Secretary General added that to be in a position to examine the situation thoroughly and with clear-sightedness, FIFA  required the FA to submit a complete report from Lord David Triesman, by means of which the latter would relate his declarations fully and provide any and all documentary evidence at his disposal.

Valcke also asked the FA to assist in providing FIFA with the parliamentary records/report in connection with the statements and testimonies made by Lord David Triesman at the House of Commons.

According to the Telegraph, Valcke’s letter read: “There is no need to express our extreme concern regarding the latest allegations questioning the integrity of some FIFA Executive Committee members made recently by Lord David Triesman…here, dear chairman, we need your help.

“For us to be in a position to examine the situation thoroughly, and with clear sightedness, we kindly solicit you to remit us a complete report [from] Lord Triesman [together with] any or all documentary evidence at his disposal. We wish to underline the utmost urgency and extreme sensitivity of the matter.”

Meanwhile, in the letter to The Sunday Times, FIFA refers to a previous exchange of correspondence by means of which FIFA understood that The Sunday Times had already provided the body with all of the evidence and documentation at its disposal.

The newspaper had reported that Issa Hayatou, FIFA vice-president, and Jacques Anouma from the Ivory Coast received US$1.5m between them to vote for Qatar’s 2022 bid.

Nevertheless, FIFA asked the English newspaper to submit any other piece of evidence that it may be in possession of and which has not yet been sent to FIFA as soon as possible.

In particular, reference is made in the letter to the allegations regarding a “whistleblower who had worked with the Qatar bid”, who allegedly made some declarations regarding the matter in question.