Triesman quits bid chairman role over bribe claims

LONDON - Lord Triesman resigned as chairman of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup finals, according to the BBC after it was revealed in the 'Mail on Sunday' he had claimed that Spain and Russia were planning to bribe referees at June's World Cup finals.

Triesman, who will stay on at least for the time being as chairman of the Football Association, had little choice after the revelations emerged, dealing a hammerblow to England's hopes of hosting its first World Cup finals since 1966 - the only time it has also lifted the trophy.

Both Spain - which is bidding jointly with Portugal - and Russia are competing to host the 2018 edition and Lord Triesman - a former Labour government minister - told his former mistress Melissa Jacobs he feared they would collude to stop England winning the right to host the event.