World Cup 2010 - England apologise to Spain over allegations

England's 2018 World Cup bid team apologised to its Spanish and Russian counterparts following a newspaper report quoting the FA chairman making bribery allegations.

The Mail on Sunday published the contents of what it said was a secretly taped conversation between David Triesman and a former aide in which Triesman was quoted as saying Russia could help Spain bribe referees in return for Spain withdrawing its own bid to host the tournament.

A source within England's 2018 bid team said that Triesman's remarks in no way represented their views and confirmed that letters of apology had been faxed to the bid chiefs of Spain, Russia and world governing body FIFA.
The FA was not commenting on the story which also contained Triesman's views on Chelsea's John Terry, who lost the England captaincy following tabloid revelations about his private life.

Triesman, who became the first independent chairman of the FA in 2008, has been criticised over his handling of England's 2018 bid which has suffered a series of public relations setbacks. FIFA vice president Jack Warner was among the critics.
England's bid, which was outlined in a 1,500-page book last week at FIFA headquarters, is still regarded as the front runner but the Mail on Sunday revelations have caused severe embarrassment.

As well as England, Russia and the joint bid from Spain and Portugal, FIFA has received bids from Australia, the United States and Belgium-Netherlands to stage the 2018 World Cup.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com