FIFA: Voting system stays

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FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke says the governing body have no immediate plans to reform their controversial World Cup voting system.

FIFA have come under a barrage of criticism following the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Spain/Portgual and England were overlooked for the 2018 tournament, while Australia and the US surprisingly missed out for 2022, despite all receiving significantly higher technical ratings than the eventual winners.

Allegations of corruption and collusion have swirled around the FIFA headquarters in Zurich in the wake of the announcement, but Valcke does not see any immediate reason to change the present system.

"We just voted last Thursday. We have not sat down to discuss a reform of the voting system. It is not part of our discussions at the moment," Valcke said.

Part of the disquiet directed at the bidding process stems from evidence of corruption amongst FIFA executive committee members uncovered by British newspaper The Sunday Times.

The allegations led to an internal investigation and the suspension of two committee members found guilty of impropriety. Valcke now considers the matter to be closed.

"We reacted well to the situation. The members were suspended. There is no need to be ashamed," he said.

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