FBI launched investigation on USA's failed 2022 WC bid

The FBI has launched an investigation into alleged corruption following the USA's failed 2022 World Cup bid.

It is believed the FBI holds 'substantial evidence' of outside organisations attempting to hack into the email accounts of members of the USA's 2022 World Cup bid.

The central point of the FBI's interest in the investigation are alleged bribery payments made to FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer.

The American, a committee member since 1996, is believed to have received commission payments totaling more than $US500,000.

Blazer did not deny the payments, saying at the time: "All of my transactions have been legally and properly done, in compliance with the various laws of the applicable jurisdictions based on the nature of the transaction."

Members of England's failed 2018 World Cup bid were interviewed last month, although they are not believed to be under suspicion.

It has also been reported that the FBI are investigating the alleged bribery of Mohammed Bin Hammam, who stood against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Bin Hammam was found to have offered $US40,000 bribes to three Caribbean football officials, just three weeks before the election and has since been banned from FIFA for life, with a further 16 Caribbean football officials being sanctioned for their part in the Trinidad meeting.

Another committee member under the spotlight is Thai Worawi Makudi. Makudi is alleged to have used money from FIFA's GOAL project to build facilities on land owned by him.

Blatter, who has been head of the organisation for the past 13 years, had planned to publish Swiss court papers that detailed bribes received by FIFA officials from the collapsed sports rights and marketing agency ISL.

FIFA are said to have been keen to publish the documents since the court action against the officials, who have since been named as former FIFA president Joao Havelange and executive committee member Ricardo Teixeira.

However, FIFA have been forced to delay the publication, following legal objections from one of the parties. Despite the delay, Blatter remains fully committed to publishing the documents as soon as possible.

"It was my strong will to make the ISL file fully transparent," he said.

"I have now been advised that as a result of the objection of a third party to such transparency it will take more time to overcome the respective legal hurdles."

"This does not change my stance at all. I remain fully committed to publishing the files as soon as possible as an important part of my many reform plans for FIFA, which include handling the past as well as preparing the future structure of the organisation."

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Iniesta confident of defending Euro title

Spain star Andres Iniesta was in a confident mood after learning of the Furia Roja's opponents for the group stage of Euro 2012.

The title holders were drawn in Group C of the competition, up against Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland.

Spain defeated the Italians on penalties in the last edition of the tournament, winning its quarterfinal clash on the way to lifting the trophy.

Posting on Facebook following the draw, Iniesta affirmed that he had faith in his team to repeat its heroics, and record its third trophy in four years following the 2010 World Cup win.

"We now have our rivals for Euro 2012! Italy, Croatia and Ireland," the midfielder exclaimed on the social networking site.

"We will defend the title and we will try until the end!!"

Spain will begin its campaign against Italy on June 10.

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England to face Spain in EURO 2012

England have been drawn in Group D for the Euro 2012 finals alongside France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine.

Three Lions coach Fabio Capello will no doubt be delighted to have avoided 2010 World Cup finalists Spain and Netherlands, but will be aware his side face a stern test when the tournament gets under way in June.

England recently defeated Sweden in a 1-0 friendly victory at Wembley in November, their first victory over the Scandinavian side in 43 years.

Capello’s men last faced France in November 2010 when they were humbled 1-0 at home, and the Italian coach will be eager to taste victory when the two side's meet for their opening game of the competition on June 11.

England were the last team to be drawn on the evening and will play all their group games in the Ukraine, despite planning to be based in Poland.

Group B will be seen by many as the Group of Death, containing 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands, Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

The Germans and the Dutch huge rivalry will no doubt lead to their meeting being one of the most anticipated games of the tournament, although a Portugal side led by Cristiano Ronaldo will be keen to build on their play-off victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

In Group A co-hosts Poland have been pitted against Russia, Greece and Czech Republic.

Greece were surprise winners of the Euro 2004 tournament, defeating Portugal on home soil to secure the trophy.

On paper the group is the least competitive, but Russia have won the Euros once (as the Soviet Union) in 1960; Czech Republic also won the trophy (as Czechoslovakia) in 1976 and more recently reached the finals of Euro 1996 when they were beaten by Germany.

Republic of Ireland fans will feel hard-done-by having been drawn in Group C alongside reigning World Cup European champions Spain, as well as Italy and Croatia.

The Irish last qualified for a major tournament in the 2002 World Cup when they were managed by current Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, and qualified for next summer's competition by beating Estonia 5-1 in a two-legged play-off after finishing second in their qualifying group.

Spain also face Slaven Bilic's Croatia side, who will no doubt prove to be difficult opposition, just as will 2006 World Cup winners Italy.

The tournament kicks off on June 8 in Poland's capital Warsaw before concluding in Ukraine’s largest city Kiev on July 1.

Below are the four qualifying groups in full.

EURO2012

THE GROUP STAGES

GROUP A  1 Poland  2 Greece   3 Russia  4 Czech Republic	GROUP B  1 Netherlands  2 Denmark  3 Germany  4 Portugal
GROUP C  1   Spain 2   Italy 3   Republic of Ireland 4 Croatia	GROUP D 1 Ukraine 2   Sweden  3   France 4   England

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Capello:Euro 2012 will be hard

England manager Fabio Capello believes Euro 2012 will be a lot harder for his side than last year's World Cup.



England struggled at the showpiece in South Africa, eliminated at the last-16 stage by rivals Germany.

But Capello is expecting an even sterner test at the Euro 2012 finals, with Spain, Netherlands, Portugal or France all potential group opponents for his side.

Speaking ahead of Friday's Euro 2012 draw in Kiev, Capello said: "This time it will be stronger."

"It will be stronger because if you look at the groups and all the teams, particularly the three European teams who reached the World Cup semi-finals, the technical level is at the top, the organisation of the teams is at the top."

"Also some teams who didn't play well at the World Cup will now be back at the top."

"Portugal, France and Italy will be better. It will be a really tough tournament."

Capello's fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni guided the Republic of Ireland to the finals in Poland and Ukraine and the England manager is keen to avoid them in the group stage.

Capello said: "The countries are close and also it would be two Italian managers, so I prefer not to be drawn with them."

"We cannot draw Italy as we are in the same pot, but this would be the same for me to face another Italian manager."

Capello was equally wary of facing some European heavyweights, including World Cup finalists Spain and the Netherlands.

"(I would like to avoid) Spain and Holland," he said. "After that there is also Portugal and France. These are the teams I would prefer to avoid in the group stage."

With several youngsters coming through the England ranks, Capello believes he has the right balance between youth and experience in his squad.

"The young players can play if they are good enough," Capello said.

"When we went to South Africa the gap between the older players and younger players was too big."

"Now the gap is closer and they younger players are improving a lot, they are playing with important teams at the top and in the Champions League and Europa League."

"In this situation you know something more as a player. It is really important."

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Speed´s family ´overwhelmed´ by tributes

The family of Gary Speed has thanked those who have been paying tribute to the former midfielder, who was found dead on Sunday morning.


A statement read by the 42-year-old's agent, Hayden Evans said: "Gary's family would like to thank all those people who have sent messages of condolence and tributes at what is a very difficult time."

"They have been overwhelmed by the support and it really does help. We would ask that the family's privacy is respected to allow them to grieve."

The former Leeds, Newcastle, Everton and Bolton player was found hanged at his home in Huntington, Chester.

Tributes have been pouring in from players, managers and supporters alike, in honour of the man who played 85 times for his country, and was the first player to reach 500 Premier League appearances.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter was one of those to send a message of condolence after Speed's death on Sunday.

"I would like to offer my deepest condolences on behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football to you, the Football Association of Wales, his wife Louise and their two sons, as well as Gary Speed's friends and family," Blatter said.

"I hope the knowledge that we are all thinking of them can provide some solace in this time of deep sadness."

"Gary Speed was a hugely talented player and a great servant for both and club and country who will be greatly missed. He will always be remembered as a model professional and a fantastic ambassador for the game."

"Having attended the draw for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil qualification, it was clear to all there that he was a man who exuded enthusiasm and passion for the game."

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Qatar May Lose 2022 World Cup

Australia football boss Frank Lowy suggested on Monday that Qatar could yet be stripped of its right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup following their controversial awarding of the global showpiece.


Australia was humiliated to receive only one FIFA vote and was eliminated in the first round as Qatar went on to beat the US in the fourth round in Zurich last December.

The process of awarding Qatar the World Cup over the US and Australia, along with the handing of the 2018 tournament to Russia, has been widely criticised amid allegations of corruption within world football's governing body.

Lowy, 81, formally re-elected on Monday as Football Federation Australia chairman (FFA) for another four years, indicated that world governing body FIFA could succumb to pressure from around the world over their bidding process.

"I don't know whether you recall when I came back from that fateful day (after losing the bid) and I said 'this is not the last word about awarding the World Cup'," Lowy told reporters.

"Well, it wasn't the last word and the last word hasn't been heard yet.

"Don't ask me to elaborate because I don't have a crystal ball ... but the media all over the world is talking about that, the awarding particularly of '22, the state of the FIFA executive committee - all that stuff.

"It's not over. I don't exactly know where it will bounce. The only thing I know is it's not over yet."

While anger lingers over Australia's failed Aus$45 million ($43.7 million) bid, Lowy said FFA's focus in the coming years would be on strengthening the game domestically and successfully hosting the 2015 Asian Cup.

Lowy was appointed chairman at FFA's AGM in Sydney where Acting Asian Football Confederation President, Zhang Jilong, was a guest.

Zhang took charge in a caretaker capacity after Mohamed bin Hammam's ousting over bribery claims in June.

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