FIFA ‘block document release’

FIFA is blocking the release of a document that would reveal the identity of two officials who have been forced to repay bribes, according to a BBC investigation.

The officials repaid the money in a settlement following a Swiss criminal investigation last year, Panorama said. But lawyers acting for FIFA are contesting a decision by the Swiss prosecutor in Zug to release details of the agreement.

The settlement relates to bribes paid to senior FIFA officials in the 1990s by sports marketing company International Sports and Leisure (ISL), Panorama said.

The programme named the men concerned as Joao Havelange who was FIFA president at the time and Ricardo Teixeira, the leader of Brazilian football.

The programme also said it had found evidence FIFA vice president Jack Warner sold on tickets to the World Cup in Germany 2006 through an intermediary.

The sale of tickets onto the black market is banned under FIFA rules.

Former FA chairman David Triesman has alleged impropriety by FIFA members including Warner and Teixeira, claiming in Parliament that they asked for cash or favours.

None of the men named by the programme responded to questions from the BBC.

FIFA also declined to comment about the allegations but in relation to the Swiss prosecutor’s settlement have previously said that the case is closed, Panorama said.

* FIFA: Football’s Shame? will be screened on BBC One tonight.