FBI Investigates Russia And Qatar World Cups

The FBI investigation into corruption at FIFA is looking into the awarding of the World Cup to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.

The US inquiry into the football governing body over a $150m (£98m) bribery case has already led to the arrests of seven FIFA officials in Zurich last week, which has triggered the worst crisis in the history of the organisation.

It is reported the FBI is also investigating long-serving FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who announced his shock resignation on Tuesday shortly before it emerged he was the subject of an inquiry.

He has always denied any wrongdoing.

Acting on a US request, Interpol has issued 'red notices' for two former FIFA officials and four corporate executives for charges including racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

The six include ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner, from Trinidad and Tobago, and Paraguayan Nicolás Leoz, who was previously a FIFA executive committee member.

Interpol uses red notices to inform member countries that an arrest warrant has been issued and means those named risk arrest anywhere they travel.

Blatter's decision to quit came just days after being re-elected to the post he had held for the last 17 years.

An extraordinary congress is due to be held between December and March to elect a successor to the 79-year-old, who was given a standing ovation by staff at FIFA's headquarters on Wednesday.

In parallel to the US inquiry, Swiss prosecutors are also investigating the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments.

Amid the widening corruption scandal engulfing FIFA, Qatar has insisted there was "no way" it would be stripped of hosting the 2022 World Cup, because it had the best bid.

There was some surprise at the time that the tournament had been awarded to a small desert country with no real football tradition and where summer temperatures can top 40 degrees Celsius (104F).

But the Arab state's foreign minister Khaled al Attiyah said: "I believe it is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar.

"No way Qatar can be stripped (of it). We are confident of the procedures and deserve to win it because we presented the best file."

Russia also dismissed concerns it might lose the right to host the cup.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman said: "Cooperation with FIFA is going on and, most importantly, Russia is continuing preparations for the 2018 World Cup."

Meanwhile, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has said he felt no "guilt" over his involvement in a $10m (£6.5m) payment to a disgraced football official relating to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, which is now being investigated by US authorities.

Valcke also said he would not step down straight away but could leave when a new president is elected.

"I have nothing to blame myself for and I certainly do not feel guilty so I do not even have to justify my innocence," he told a French radio station.

The South African Football Association has denied it was a bribe, and insisted the payment to Jack Warner was intended for football development in the Caribbean.

The testimony of former FIFA executive Chuck Blazer has also been released.

Blazer, nicknamed "Mr 10%", reportedly helped investigators after being approached by authorities over large unpaid tax bills.

A US judge approved the release of the transcript from the 2013 hearing in which Mr Blazer pleaded guilty to corruption charges.