Australia senator demands FIFA ‘refunds’ bid money

CANBERRA, May 30 (Reuters) - An Australian lawmaker has
demanded FIFA "refunds" the A$45.6 million ($48.8 million) the
country spent on its unsuccessful bid for the 2022 World Cup,
following the corruption scandal plaguing the global soccer
governing body. 

In a statement titled "Red Card for FIFA", independent
senator Nick Xenophon said Australia should refrain from
spending taxpayer dollars on future bids pending the completion
of investigations into FIFA. 

"It appears corrupt and highly questionable behaviour goes
to the core of FIFA," Xenophon said in the statement on Monday.  

"Australia spent almost $46 million on a bid we were never
in the running for because bribes were being taken for votes.  

"Now we hear that bribes may have been made to fix the result
for who will head up FIFA." 

Asian soccer head Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner,
president of CONCACAF, were suspended over bribery allegations
in the worst graft scandal to blight the sport's governing body. 

FIFA's ethics committee has cleared President Sepp Blatter
of any wrongdoing, prompting an angry backlash from powerbrokers
Bin Hammam and Warner. 

Australia drew only a single vote during the 2022 race,
prompting cries of foul play from the country's bid team and a
storm of criticism towards the federal government for
financially backing the failure. 

Qatar were awarded hosting rights and have since been
accused of paying bribes to secure FIFA delegates' votes.    

"The fact that corruption appears to be so pervasive in FIFA
makes you wonder whether we should continue to invest millions
of dollars in bids for events we'll never even be in the running
to win," Xenophon added. 

"How can FIFA ensure the probity of its bidding process when
its senior executives are potentially embroiled in corrupt
behaviour themselves? 

"Until the investigation into FIFA has been completed,
Australia must hold off spending any more taxpayer's money on
any future World Cup bids."