FIFA 'in new Qatar 2022 corruption claims'

Football's governing body FIFA is facing new allegations about corrupt payments linked to the decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup.

According to the Sunday Times, secret documents, including emails, letters and bank transfers are said to prove that former FIFA official Mohammed Bin Hammam gave money to football dignitaries in return for their support for the bid.

The report goes on to claim that Bin Hammam had been actively lobbying on behalf of the Qatar 2022 bid in the 12 months before a decision was made, despite strongly denying that he had been directly involved in the campaign.

It is also alleged that the 65-year-old was looking to build a groundswell of support before trying to influence four African delegates on the FIFA executive committee.

Qatar beat off competition from the United States, South Korea and Australia to host the tournament.