After lengthy investigations into allegations of football corruption, United States prosecutors have revealed that they believe several ex-FIFA executives received bribes for voting in favour of Russia and Qatar as respective hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

According to the latest information unveiled on Monday, 6 April in the US District Court in Brooklyn – Nicolás Leoz, ex-president of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), and former Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) president, Ricardo Teixeira, received bribes to vote for Qatar at the 2010 FIFA executive committee meeting.

Former vice president of FIFA and president of CONCACAF, Jack Warner, allegedly received approximately $5 million to vote for Russia’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Additionally, the indictment on Monday revealed that the Guatemala federation president, Rafael Salguero, was also promised a $1m bribe to vote for Russia.

Two former 21st Century Fox Inc. executives, Hernan Lopez and Carlos Martinez, were also charged for allegedly paying CONMEBOL officials to obtain information on bidding for broadcasting rights to the Copa Libertadores, South America’s annual club championship.

Gerard Romy, the Spanish former CEO of Imagina Media Audiovisual, is also accused of paying a $3m bribe to Jeffrey Webb, former president of CONCACAF, for media and marketing rights.

Although Russia has already staged the World Cup, Qatar is still in preparations and should FIFA reopen the enquiry into how it won the votes, it might impact the 2022 Tournament.

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