FIFA's new ethics monitor has warned candidates hoping to host the
2018 and 2022 World Cups they could face sanctions if they fail to
play by campaign rules.
FIFA said Tuesday that its ethics panel, chaired by Claudio
Sulser, will write to the 10 bid teams reminding them to respect
fair play or face "any sanctions the committee deems appropriate."
Rules prohibit bidders from criticizing rivals, offering cash
gifts and making deals to trade support before the Dec. 2 poll of
FIFA's 24-member executive committee.
Sulser, a former Switzerland international forward who is now
a lawyer, will oversee the final nine months of campaigning to
secure football's most prestigious tournament.
"I am certain that we can do something positive if we work
together as a team, with a transparent approach and with a clear
application of the code of ethics in order to protect the integrity
of football," he said in a statement.
Welcoming Sulser to his job, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said
football's economic impact created "not only a social
responsibility, but a moral commitment too."
"This is why it is so important to have an independent ethics
committee that can supervise and make sure that fair play and the
code of ethics are respected," Blatter said.
Sulser succeeded Sebastian Coe who has left the independent
watchdog. The two-time Olympic middle-distance running champion had
stood aside temporarily when he joined England's bid team.
England is competing against Australia, Japan, Russia, the
United States and joint candidates Spain-Portugal and
Netherlands-Belgium to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022.
Indonesia, Qatar and South Korea are in the 2022 race only.
FIFA said Tuesday that no formal complaints had been
presented to the ethics panel since the bidders formally launched
their campaigns a year ago.
