‘Russia, Qatar could lose World Cup rights’

The head of Fifa’s audit and compliance committee has reportedly claimed Russia and Qatar could lose the right to host the World Cup if evidence emerges of bribery in the bidding processes.

Over the past two weeks, Fifa has been embroiled in controversy. In late May, seven Fifa officials were arrested in dawn raids at a hotel in Zurich and were charged by US authorities along with two other Fifa officials and five corporate executives over allegations of racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies spanning 24 years.

Despite the arrests, Fifa president Sepp Blatter was re-elected, but on Tuesday the 79-year-old announced his resignation.