FIFA ExCo Member Wanted Knighthood for England WC Backing

Reports in the Sunday Times newspaper yesterday, May 8, claimed that, Nicolas Leoz, A voting member of FIFA’s Executive Committee asked for a knighthood in exchange for backing England’s bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

The Paraguayan is one of the most powerful men in the game in his role as President of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and is alleged to have raised the question of being knighted at a meeting with England officials in November, 2009.

Sources claim that Leoz stated that the special honour was the only thing he wanted as a quid-pro-quo, adding that the request was far from flippant and pretty direct, stating: “He went through it at some length and made clear what he expected from us.”

Simon Greenberg, previously chief of staff during England’s World Cup bid, is now director of corporate affairs at News International, the publishers of the newspaper which leaked the story.

Leoz claimed last week that he received an invite to the marriage of the Prince William and Kate Middleton just a day before the December 2 vote in which FIFA awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia rather than England.