FIFA voting open to abuse: AOC chief

SYDNEY: Fifa’s World Cup bidding process will remain open to abuse unless changes are made, said  Australia’s Olympic chief John Coates in the wake of corruption allegations over voting for the 2018 and 2022 events.

Coates said Fifa must make the bidding system more transparent and respond to the damaging scandal.

”Mud does stick so it is damaging,” said the Australian Olympic Committee president.

“It’s not good for Fifa’s image. I really hope they will address things. Even if there’s no evidence, at least there’s a perception out there that there’s something wrong.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2011.