FIFA inquiry finds no fact of collusion in granting Russia right to host 2018 World Cup - report
PARIS. June 27 (Interfax) - An inquiry conducted by the international association football governing body, FIFA, has not uncovered facts indicating that there might have been collusion between the Russia Bid Committee and bid committees of other countries or other FIFA members in selecting the country to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as follows from a report on the inquiry into the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup Bidding Process (the so-called 'Garcia Report').
"No evidence of collusion of Russian Bid with another bid committee or member association," the report says.
The investigators also concluded that "the policy of gifts and benefits made available by the Russia Bid Committee appears to have been in line with the FIFA Rules of Conduct." In particular, the gifts offered by the Russian Bid Committee were, "as far as evidenced in the documents provided and testimonies given, of a symbolic and incidental value."
The authors of the report acknowledged that the Russia Bid Committee "has only in part complied with the reporting requirements on contact made with FIFA ExCo [Executive Committee] Members." However, the document says, "insufficient evidence was found in the documents made available and testimonies given suggesting that the Russia Bid Committee had attempted to unduly influence the Bidding Process by contacting FIFA ExCo Members."
