FBI probe World Cup computer hacking claims

Investigators from the FBI have interviewed officials from England’s 2018 World Cup bid as part of a probe into possible computer hacking.

The FBI are understood to be looking into the possibility that the USA and England World Cup bids were the victims of attempts to hack into their email accounts.

The investigation centres on evidence pointing to attempts by Russia to hack into rivals bids’ computer systems, according to a source with knowledge of the interviews of England 2018 officials.

Initially Russia were rivals of both England and USA for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments before the USA decided to concentrate on the 2022 tournament.

Russia triumphed in the bid for 2018 in a vote by FIFA’s executive committee a year ago while England went out in the first round of voting.

Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup beating the USA in the final round of voting.

The FBI interviews with England 2018 staff took place within the last month.