Triesman to step down from 2018 bid role after accusation in private conversation was sold to a newspaper

16 May 2010

Lord Triesman will step down as the head of England's bid team for the 2018 World Cup after suggesting in a private conversation - taped by an acquaintance and sold to the Mail on Sunday - that Spain and Russia would collude to ensure corrupt referees took part at this summer's World Cup; and that Spain would withdraw from the 2018 race to back Russia. There is no suggestion this allegation has any truth in it. The full story can be found here on the BBC website.