Fifa to probe Lord Triesman's claims

London: England's troubled 2018 World Cup bid is facing two separate inquiries following Lord Triesman's allegations of corruption, which have led to his resignation as FA and campaign chairman.

Fifa announced on Monday night their ethics committee would be investigating Triesman's astonishing claims, in a tape-recorded conversation with his former political aide Melissa Jacobs, about Spain and Russia bribing referees at the World Cup.

Football's governing body have also demanded a full FA report. The FA had hoped to put a lid on the controversy — which has seriously weakened England's chances of hosting the tournament, with their swift response to the crisis. Faxes of apology were sent to Fifa, Moscow and Madrid, and Fifa grandee Geoff Thompson was installed as the new 2018 chairman. But the Fifa statement confirmed England's fears about the impact of Triesman's gaffe.

It read: "Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke has requested the Fifa ethics committee to examine the alleged statements made by Lord Triesman. Fifa will not make any further comment on this matter until it has been dealt with by the ethics committee."

Russian bid chief Alexey Sorokin claimed not to have received the fax of apology. England said the fax was sent successfully on Sunday.