Serious Fraud Office investigating possible World Cup money-laundering

Image: The World Cup will be held in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022

The head of the Serious Fraud Office says it is looking into potential money-laundering offences related to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

David Green told MPs' culture, media and sport select committee that, while Switzerland-based FIFA is outside the SFO's jurisdiction, it is investigating the possibility laundered money might have passed through London.

"We are still examining issues around possible money laundering and I won't be able to go into detail as new information has come to us quite recently." he said.

Asked about a payment from the Australia 2022 bid committee to former FIFA vice-president and CONCACAF boss Jack Warner, he said: "I cannot confirm the assertion that money went through London - it certainly started off in Sydney and appears to have ended up in Trinidad.

"It could be money-laundering, yes. Whether the money came through London is important.

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"There are outstanding matters which touch upon money-laundering, there are a number of matters we are still looking at and digging in to."

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