The U.K.'s Serious Fraud Office has been "urged to reconsider its decision not to investigate allegations" of FIFA corruption during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process, according to Richard Conway of the BBC. Conservative MP Damian Collins made the call after U.S. media claims that former FIFA exec Chuck Blazer "recorded conversations with football officials at the London 2012 Olympics." The SFO can investigate "cases which undermine UK commercial/financial PLC in general and the City of London in particular" and has been following bribery claims stemming from the Dec. '10 decision to "award rights for the next two World Cups." The New York Daily News alleged U.S. FBI agents recruited Blazer by "threatening him with arrest and prosecution for tax fraud if he failed to cooperate" (BBC, 11/3). In London, Owen Gibson reported those Blazer invited to the meetings included Russia 2018 World Cup CEO Alexei Sorokin and Football Federation Australia Chair Frank Lowy, the head of the Australian 2022 bid. It is "not clear whether they actually agreed to meet with Blazer." Peter Hargitay, an adviser to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, was "also reported to be on the list of those whose meetings with Blazer were bugged." Blazer also reportedly agreed to "allow the FBI to monitor his communications with 44 high-ranking football officials, including Blatter" (GUARDIAN, 11/3).
