TIMING OF FIFA POLL FANS BRIBERY FEARS

LONDON – Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin Al Hussein expressed fears yesterday that horse-trading over the allocation of places at the 2018 World Cup could influence the election.

Fifa ’ s executive committee will decide on the distribution of World Cup places by confederation on May 30, a day after Ali, Michel van Praag and Luis Figo go up against incumbent Sepp Blatter in the Fifa presidential election.

Michel Platini, president of European governing body Uefa, has suggested Blatter will make promises about World Cup slots while campaigning. Ali is also concerned about the order of events.

“At the last executive committee meeting, it was decided that the issue of whether to allocate new slots to the World Cup or not should take place the day after the Fifa election,” he said. “My concern is that we have to have a proper discussion about this with all stakeholders before rushing into something.

“My other concern is that it could be used for political purposes by making promises that may not take place the day after.”

Platini believes that Europe deserves an extra berth at the 2018 World Cup, having sent 13 teams to last year ’ s tournament in Brazil.

With Russia guaranteed to qualify as hosts, Europe is expected to have 14 representatives, which Platini does not believe reflects the continent ’ s strength.

But Ali is cautious about giving certain confederations preferential treatment. –