Russia hits back over World Cup corruption claims

Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid team denied offering any inducements to secure Amos Adamu’s vote before the executive committee member was suspended from duty by FIFA.

The Russians have been informed by the Sunday Times newspaper that Adamu allegedly told an undercover reporter that the bidding nation offered “co-operation” on building facilities and training players in exchange for the Nigerian’s vote in the December contest.

Adamu is already being investigated by FIFA over alleged footage published this month by the Sunday Times of London appearing to show him telling lobbyists he wanted $800,000 (euro580,000) to build four artificial football pitches in Nigeria, and for the money to be paid to him directly.