FIFA has asked all nations hoping to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to respect fair play during the bidding process.
The organisation has set up an ethics committee to keep a close eye on the campaigns of the countries looking to host the finals.
Fifa said in a statement: “The committee agreed to send a letter to all of the member associations bidding for the 2018 and 2022 Fifa World Cups in order to remind them that they have signed regulations to respect fair play in this contest and that the ethics committee will remain vigilant to ensure that all regulations are adhered to.”
A number of countries have made bids to host the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, including Australia, England, Japan, Russia, the USA, and joint bids from Belgium and the Netherlands and Spain and Portugal.
So far, just three countries have only launched campaigns to host the 2022 competition – Indonesia, South Korea and Qatar.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter added: “Football has reached a huge economic dimension.
“All of this brings not only a social responsibility, but a moral commitment too.
“This is why it is so important to have an independent ethics committee that can supervise and make sure that fair play and the code of ethics are respected.”
