Australian police said Thursday they are investigating corruption claims surrounding Australia's failed bid for the 2022 World Cup, and they involve former FIFA vice president Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago.
Senator Nick Xenophon was among those who asked the Australian Federal Police to investigate the claims after FFA chairman Frank Lowy defended his group's payment of 500,000 Australian dollars to the CONCACAF regional football federation in North America, an amount Lowy said Wednesday was ''misappropriated'' by then CONCACAF president Warner.
Warner was among 14 key football figures charged with corruption by U.S. authorities last week. Australia spent about $40 million attempting to win hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup, but received just one vote when Qatar secured the rights in December 2010.
