Fifa begins World Cup bids probe as it suspends duo
Amos Adamu in a monitored report told the BBC's Farayi Mungazi that he welcomed the Fifa investigation into the claims. The Nigerian Fifa official has told the BBC he is not guilty of allegations that he offered to sell his vote in the contest to host the 2018 World Cup.
Reporters from the Sunday Times posed as lobbyists for a consortium of US firms who wanted to bring the tournament to the United States.Mr Adamu allegedly said he wanted cash to build pitches in Nigeria.
Tahiti's Reynald Temarii, president of the Oceania Football Confederation, is also alleged to have asked for a payment, in his case to finance a sports academy. He denies the claim, suggesting that his comments on the Sunday Times video had been taken out of context.
Mr Adamu and Mr Temarii, both members of Fifa's 24-man executive committee, were suspended by the organisation for 30 days on Wednesday.
Fifa is the international governing body of association football.
"The [Fifa] ethics committee will investigate this and I am very happy about it because this will enable the whole world to know the truth of the matter," Mr Adamu told the BBC, speaking publicly on the issue for the first time.
"As far as I am concerned I am not guilty of what they are saying, but the ethics committee is a committee that is credible and Fifa is a credible organisation. I am sure that the whole truth will come out. I welcome it."
Mr Adamu, who is also president of the West African Football Union, is said to have told the undercover reporters he wanted $800,000 (£500,000) to build the four artificial football pitches in Nigeria.
A 24-strong Fifa committee will decide by secret ballot on 2 December who should host the tournament.
However, Fifa is also investigating Spain, Portugal and Qatar in connection with alleged collusion over voting for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, BBC Sport understands.
Spain and Portugal are making a joint 2018 bid, while Qatar is eyeing 2022.
Collusion between bidding countries is strictly forbidden by the regulations.
Following a meeting of the ethics committee on Wednesday, four other Fifa officials - Tunisia's Slim Aloulou, Mali's Amadou Diakite, Botswana's Ismael Bhamjee and Tonga's Ahongalu Fusimalohi - were also provisionally suspended.
In Tunisia, the reaction has been surprise at allegations levelled against the previously respected and influential Mr Aloulou, a former Executive Committee member.
Fifa, the world governing body for football, is holding a broad inquiry into alleged breaches of bidding rules
Mr Aloulou, who presided over the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, has yet to comment on the allegations.
However, some in Tunisia have questioned his involvement in the scandal.
"I know Aloulou very well and he can't do this," Abdelmajid Chetali, who led Tunisia at the 1978 World Cup under Mr Aloulou, told website Kapitalis.
"To be so fiercely attacked by certain media is unacceptable."
Mr Aloulou, a successful businessman, served on Fifa's Executive Committee from 1988 to 1994, before serving in varying commissions until his suspension.
Rooney signs new five year contract
Wayne Rooney signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United, two days after he said he wanted to leave the 18-time English soccer champion.
The agreement will keep Rooney at Old Trafford through June 2015, the club said today in a statement on its website.
“I’m delighted to sign another deal,” Rooney said in the statement. “In the last couple of days, I’ve talked to the manager and the owners and they’ve convinced me this is where I belong.”
The signing ends a week of uncertainty over the England striker’s future.Manager Alex Ferguson said three days ago that Rooney wanted to leave and the player confirmed that the following day, saying he was concerned about the club’s future.
“It’s been a difficult week, but the intensity of the coverage is what we expect at Manchester United,” Ferguson said. “I said to the boy that the door is always open and I’m delighted Wayne has agreed to stay.”
Rooney has been widely criticized by U.K. media, fans and even opposing coaches for his wanting to leave with 18 months remaining on his contract. The Sun reported today that about 40 people picketed outside his home last night before police were called to disperse them.
“Sometimes when you’re in a club, it can be hard to realize just how big it is and it takes something like the events of the last few days to make you understand,” Ferguson said. “I think Wayne now understands what a great club Manchester United is.”
Rooney, 24, has struggled this season, scoring just one goal, after injuries and media reports about his personal life limited his playing time. He’s had disagreements with Ferguson and said he wished to leave because he was worried about the club’s ability to sign new players.
“I’m signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history, which is the reason I joined the club in the first place,” Rooney said.
Rooney last started against Bolton on Sept. 26, when he was substituted after 60 minutes. He then sat out two games because Ferguson said he was injured.
The player contradicted the manager after playing in England’s 0-0 draw with Montenegro on Oct. 12, saying he “didn’t know” why Ferguson thought he was hurt. The coach said he wanted to rest the striker, who hasn’t scored for United in open play since March.
Rooney returned to the lineup last weekend against West Brom, coming on as a substitute as United lost a 2-0 lead in drawing 2-2.
Rooney’s been under media scrutiny because of allegations about his personal life. Ferguson left him out of a Sept. 11 game at former club Everton rather than subject him to potential fan abuse and said yesterday that he told Rooney he must “honor and respect the club’s traditions.”
“I’m sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they’ve read and seen,” Rooney said. “But my position was from concern over the future. The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived and it’s up to me through my performance to win them over again.”
Rooney has scored 132 goals in 289 games for United since joining from boyhood team Everton for 27 million pounds ($42 million) in 2004. He enjoyed his most productive season during the 2009-10 campaign with 35 goals.
Rooney was injured in training Tuesday and didn’t play in United’s Champions League match against Busaspor the following day. His status for the Premier League game against Stoke in two days hasn’t been determined. United is fourth in the Premier League, five points behind leader Chelsea.
