Scandal casts a shadow over World Cup voting
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Sports and politics mixed at the highest level yesterday, as government leaders stepped up support for their countries' bids to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William and David Beckham arrived in Zurich to help England's 2018 team limit the potential damage caused by a BBC television investigation broadcast on Monday that alleged corrupt dealings by voters from FIFA's executive committee.
"I've only got one focus here and that's trying to bring the World Cup home for England," Cameron said.
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has yet to decide if he will travel to Zurich before tomorrow's vote, Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko said.
The United States government said Attorney General Eric Holder will join former President Bill Clinton at FIFA headquarters today when the five 2022 candidates make their final 30-minute presentations.
Australia has sent its most senior state official, governor general Quentin Bryce.
FIFA said it had no intention of examining BBC allegations that three voters - Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolas Leoz and Issa Hayatou - took kickbacks from FIFA's former marketing agency from 1989-99.
FIFA said the matter was dealt with by a Swiss court two years ago and no official was charged.
The International Olympic Committee said it would open an ethics probe into allegations against Hayatou, an IOC member since 2001.
FIFA was still seeking to end a stalemate over whether its smallest continental region, Oceania, can vote tomorrow. Oceania wants to replace its suspended president, Reynald Temarii, who was banned by FIFA for ethics violations.
Temarii has been reluctant to waive his right to appeal, which FIFA rules require before his deputy, David Chung from Papua New Guinea, can replace him.
Chung's presence would bring the number of voters to 23 and could alter a delicate balance in both contests.
Leaders of the joint Spain-Portugal bid believe they have eight first-round votes secured in the 2018 race that includes England, Russia and Belgium-Netherlands.
The 2022 contest pits the US and Australia against Japan, South Korea and Qatar. FIFA investigated but found no evidence of alleged vote-trading between Spain-Portugal and Qatar.
With both bid races too close to call, last-minute lobbying by government leaders could yet be decisive.
Cameron was meeting FIFA Vice President Jack Warner from Trinidad and Tobago, who was targeted by a BBC investigation over an alleged ticket scam before the World Cup in South Africa. Warner can potentially deliver three votes that are deemed crucial to England's chances.
FIFA requires complete government support to underwrite World Cup investment, plus tax and legal breaks during the monthlong tournament.
Putin's presence in Zurich would be a potential trump card for Russia. "The key thing is, he supports this bid," said Mutko, who will vote as a member of FIFA's ruling executive.
Mutko expressed surprise that Spain-Portugal was so strong despite a low profile in the bidding process.
"There may be countries who did not make so much effort to promote their bid," he said at a briefing. "Suddenly they become favorites."
Mutko said Russian officials accepted invitations to attend "every convention possible" in the long campaign, and had been "very concerned" about voting alliances.
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