FIFA clears FFA of any misconduct

July 23, 2010

Football’s governing body, FIFA, has cleared Football Federation Australia (FFA) of any wrongdoing in its bid for the 2022 World Cup as the country prepares to welcome a team of inspectors.

Newspaper reports had claimed FFA had used various financial incentives to gain favour with FIFA committee members, but FIFA has written to FFA to say there are no grounds to open a case, and the matter is now closed.

FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said: “We stated all along that those damaging allegations were false. Subsequently we have been cleared by the Federal Government, independent auditors and now by FIFA.

“With this behind us we can now concentrate on our bid to bring the biggest sporting event in teh world to Australia in 2022.”

FFA chairman Frank Lowy added: “We are totally focused on bringing the FIFA World Cup to Australia in 2022. The inspection tour of Australia provides an opportunity to showcase our first-class infrastructure and share details of our proposal for a uniquely  Australian 2022 FIFA World Cup with FIFA directly.”