FIFA tells England to be careful if it wants to stay in WC 2018 bid race

London, May 29 (ANI): FIFA has warned England to toe the line if it wants to keep its hopes up for hosting the World Cup 2018. The warning comes after former FA Chairman Lord Triesman's shocking and unfounded claims of match-fixing and bribery in bidding for the same event.

Lord Triesman was forced to quit his post as chairman when the comments made during a dinner date came to light.

According to The Daily Star, FIFA ordered a ten-day probe into the allegations and found no basis to them.

The football body has also confirmed that the incident is not going to scuttle England's attempt at hosting the 2018 WC, but this does not mean that England can take it easy as one more controversy is enough to oust them from the race.

A FIFA statement read: "In the light of the circumstances, the chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee has decided not to pursue this matter any further.However, he emphasised that it is essential to the integrity, image and reputation of FIFA and the competitions that the conduct of the member associations and the bid committees during their bid preparations complies with the highest standards of ethical behaviour."

A joint statement from the FA and England's 2018 bid read: "We welcome the final decision of the FIFA Ethics Committee investigation to take no further action. England 2018 has always sought to conduct itself with the rules of the bidding process and will continue to do so." (ANI)