FIFA said Friday that a thorough investigation "found no indication that there is any basis to the allegations reported." FIFA said its ethics panel chairman Claudio Sulser had decided not to pursue the matter further.

English official David Triesman resigned as chairman of the FA and England's 2018 World Cup hosting bid after his claims were published following a tabloid newspaper sting.

Triesman was recorded saying that Spain could drop its 2018 campaign and support Russia's bid in exchange for help to bribe referees at the World Cup.

FIFA said Triesman claimed the remarks were not meant as an accusation.

"Triesman explained that this speculation was not an allegation on his part but was reported to him in a private capacity," football's world governing body said in a statement.

Triesman told FIFA that the claim did not reflect the view of any other English football officials.

The FA and England's 2018 bid team had "unreservedly apologized for and expressed their bitter regret" to officials in Spain and Russia, FIFA said.

Sulser's ethics team also received statements from Spain and Russia.

"Following this thorough investigation, FIFA has found no indication that there is any basis to the allegations reported by (David) Triesman," FIFA said.

FIFA said Sulser's committee would "remain vigilant to ensure that ethical conduct and fair play is respected in the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups." FIFA's 24-man executive committee will choose the two hosts in December.

The 2018 tournament is expected to be awarded to a European bid. England and Russia are leading contenders, with joint bids from Spain-Portugal and Netherlands-Belgium also competing.

Australia and the United States are bidding for 2018 and 2022. Japan, Qatar and South Korea are in the 2022 race only.


Meanwhile,  Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar is horrified by the ball which will be used at the World Cup, likening it to a cheap one bought from the supermarket.

"It's terrible, horrible," said the Inter Milan player, widely considered to be the world's top goalkeeper.

"It's like one of those balls you buy in the supermarket."

Brazil's goalkeeping coach Wendell said the new ball was highly unpredictable when hit from long range.

"The danger for goalkeepers is when they come off their line," he said. "They need to stay in a safe place otherwise the ball will drop behind them (and into the goal)."

The World Cup ball, named 'Jabulani' which means 'to celebrate' in the Zulu language, was billed as the first perfectly round ball and the most accurate yet when it was unveiled by FIFA.

Among those quoted at the presentation ceremony in December was Julio Cesar's Brazil team mate Kaka who said in a statement: "For me, contact with the ball is all important, and that's just great with this ball."