FIFA suspended two executive committee members from voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts on Thursday after completing a corruption investigation, and cleared Qatar and Spain-Portugal of vote-trading.
FIFA’s ethics panel banned Nigeria’s Amos Adamu from all football activity for three years for agreeing to take bribes from undercover reporters from the British Sunday Times newspaper who posed as lobbyists trying to buy votes. Reynald Temarii of Tahiti, the president of Oceania’s confederation, was suspended for one year for breaching FIFA’s loyalty and confidentiality rules.
Four former FIFA executive committee members also were suspended based on allegations published by the newspaper.
England given the ‘blues’ in friendly
London: France cruised to a 2-1 victory over England with goals in each half from Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena. England’s goal came from Peter Crouch in the 86th minute.
Portugal got a measure of revenge for their World Cup second round defeat by world champions Spain here on Wednesday as the hosts ran out 4-0 winners. Goals by Carlos Martins, an own goal by Sergi Ramos, veteran Helder Postiga and Hugo Almedia saw them to an easy victory over Spain.
Italy came from behind to draw 1-1 with Romania while The Netherlands beat Turkey 1-0 courtesy a Klaas Jan Huntelaar strike. Joachim Loew’s German side were held to a goalless draw by Sweden.
Italy came from behind to draw 1-1 with Romania while The Netherlands beat Turkey 1-0 courtesy a Klaas Jan Huntelaar strike. Joachim Loew’s German side were held to a goalless draw by Sweden.