England's World Cup bid chief quits after sting

I actually feel for this old English bloke - he has been set-up by a grubby journalist for a newspaper read by grubby people in Britain. And what he said was likely true - it is not beyond belief that the Spanish and Russians would bribe their way through the world cup and through the selection process. Would not put it past those mobs at all.

Anyway, bye bye England - maybe looking good now for Australia 2018? Russia has also been tainted by this scandal.

shooting the breeze with "friends" becoming public knowledge. warning to all public officials - if you didn't know it before - you should know it now - you have no friends outside your immediate family. If you want to "chat" off the record - go home and chat with the wife or hubby.

bobo, Melissa Jacobs abused her position, as someone who had met Triesman through his political work in government, to set him up with a secretly taped conversation. It was deceptive and dishonest. Especially since it was set up by an English newspaper and an English PR guru. I expect my private conversations to be just that, and not secretly taped for a newspaper story. It should be illegal and discarded as irrelevant.

@cracaphat

Well that is that. Stupid old idiot - the man who lost England the World Cup. I hope Netherlands-Belgium get it now

And I supposed you have never said anything in private that if heard by the wrong people would be cause for alarm,eh ?

If I said anything dubious about other people that later came out in public, then, yes actually, I would feel rather foolish for being indiscreet. If I was at the head of a major national project and I made really serious allegations in conversation with a younger lady friend, and those allegations became public and destroyed the project I was heading; in that case I think the phrase "stupid old idiot" would be completely appropriate. I'm not defending the Mail, which always was an odious rag, but the man is an old fool.

Perhaps Melissa Jacobs and the Mail were bribed by the Russians and Spaniards. Or she's done this to get back to him for whatever reason. I certainly hope this doesn't hurt Englands bid!

Melissa Jacobs and the Mail On Sunday are absolute traitors setting Triesman up and trying to sink England's bid. The Russians, Spanish and Portugese, predictably, were straight on to FIFA.

The Mail on Sunday? What a disgrace of a newspaper, setting up a sting like that. I hope the England national team banish any Daily Mail/MoS "journalists" from the England World Cup camp and give them a complete boycott.

northlondon - I'm pretty sure entrapment is an illegal method for the police to catch someone, but for the gutter press I think it is legal.

England still has by far the best bid on the table for 2018 - I just hope the MoS hasn't just ruined it

Brown's "bigot" gaffe recorded in his car, and now this. In public positions of responsibility you really cant open your mouth and say anything negative or slanderous about anyone these days.

There is still time for England to rescue its bid before FIFA venue tours and the decision in Dec. I am sure there is going to be plenty more allegations and scandals to come.

I don't see what this guy has done wrong. It was entrapment, which used to be illegal in the UK but our laws now seem to copy the US which allows potential criminal acts/ taped conversations to be set-up by the police/ undercover journalists in advance (entrapment). He did the very honourable thing by resigning. The snake who set Triesman up was a trusted friend who planned the whole conversation in advance with the Mail On Sunday newspaper. I would not be surprised at all if this sting was financed by the Russian or Spanish bidding team.

Well that is that. Stupid old idiot - the man who lost England the World Cup. I hope Netherlands-Belgium get it now.