The Japan's chief of World Cup bidding has said that the investigations over corruptions cost England the victory in the bidding. Ogura, a member of FIFA's executive committee, was quoted by Kyodo news agency Tuesday as saying there was 'no doubt' the reports 'definitely had an influence on England's bid.'

Ogura, the head of Japan's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup said allegations by the Sunday Times newspaper and BBC had left members 'furious' and threatening to sue.

England received only two votes and was eliminated in the first round of voting by the 22-man FIFA executive committee in Zurich on Thursday. One of those votes was from England's representative Geoff Thompson. The 2018 bid was then won by Russia.

Australia lost their bid for the 2022 bid, with Korea also spurned in favour of Qatar.