The murky world of World Cup bidding and corruption reared its ugly head on Tuesday as a former English Football Association chairman accused four FIFA members of seeking bribes in return for their backing of England's failed 2018 World Cup bid, dpa reported.
Lord Triesman, who was the chairman of England's bid in its early stages, named FIFA members Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi as the men involved.
Speaking at the House of Commons on Tuesday in a meeting of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport committee, Lord Triesman described the behaviour of the four men as "below what would be ethically acceptable."
Triesman said he did not complain at the time because he was worried it would hamper England's bid but on Tuesday he said he will give the evidence to FIFA, the sport's world governing body.
"I think, in retrospect, we would have burned off our chances," Triesman said. "In retrospect, that was not the right view to take and I accept that."
England won just two of the 22 Fifa votes for the 2018 World Cup, which will be hosted by Russia.
Triesman's accusations were immediately dismissed by one of the four, FIFA vice-president Warner, who said they were "a piece of nonsense."
"I've never asked Triesman nor any other person, Englishman or otherwise, for any money for my vote at any time," Warner told Sky Sports News.