Officials 'sell World Cup votes for cash'

Fifa is looking into the claims after reporters from the Sunday Times posed as lobbyists for a consortium of private American companies who wanted to help secure it for the United States.

They approached Amos Adamu, the Nigerian president of the West African Football Union who also serves as a Fifa executive committee member.

At an initial meeting in London, Adamu is said to have told reporters that he wanted $800,000 (£500,000) to build four artificial football pitches in his home country.

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.

A statement from Fifa read: "Fifa and the Fifa Ethics Committee have closely monitored the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups and will continue to do so.

"Fifa has already requested to receive all of the information and documents related to this matter, and is awaiting to receive this material.

"In any case, Fifa will immediately analyse the material available and only once this analysis has concluded will Fifa be able to decide on any potential next steps.

"In the meantime, Fifa is not in a position to provide any further comments on this matter."

A European nation will definitely host the 2018 World Cup after the US pulled out of the race on October 15.

The US had been the last non-European bidders remaining in the race for 2018 following Australia's withdrawal in June.

Their withdrawal leaves England's as one of four European bids for 2018 alongside Russia and joint bids by Belgium/Holland and Spain/Portugal.

Source: skynews.co.uk