30/11/2010

BBC Defends 'Fifa's Dirty Secrets' Investigation

The BBC has defended a Panorama documentary which alleges that three Fifa officials accepted bribes during the 1990s.

The documentary alleges that Nicolas Leoz, Issa Hayatou and Ricardo Teixeira took money from a sport marketing firm awarded lucrative World Cup rights.

The Panorama investigation, titled 'Fifa's Dirty Secrets', was aired three days before a vote to decide the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals.

Clive Edwards, BBC Executive Editor, stood by the documentary and said it was Panorama's job "to investigate corruption and wrongdoing".

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has requested that the BBC hand over evidence relating to Mr Hayatou, who is a long-standing member of the IOC.

None of the three men have responded to Panorama's allegations.

Fifa, world football's governing body, also declined to comment.

A confidential document listing 175 payments totalling about $100m (£64m) highlighted the alleged bribes.

The programme, which broadcast on Monday, also reported evidence of a fourth Senior Fifa executive, Vice President Jack Warner involved in the resale of World Cup tickets to touts.

Ahead of Thursday's vote in Zurich, the BBC is standing by its decision to air 'Fifa's Dirty Secrets'.

(BMcN/GK)

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