England

Roy Hodgson: FIFA corruption allegations are "very disturbing"

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 29 May 2015

England boss Roy Hodgson concedes that he finds the corruption allegations made against FIFA "very disturbing" because of his love of the game.

England boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that he finds the FIFA corruption scandal "very disturbing".

Several officials from world football's governing body have been accused of a number of offences, including bribery, money laundering and racketeering, after they were arrested in Zurich on May 27.

Hodgson has conceded that he has been saddened by the news and its effect on the game, but is determined to leave the politics of the issue to the Football Association.

"It is very disturbing," Hodgson told reporters. "Whenever clear signs of corruption have taken place at the very highest level, how can any football lover not be disappointed about that? But what should and will happen [now], I will stay away from that.

"I will leave that to [FA chairman] Greg [Dyke] and to the FIFA executive committee and they can get on with it because at my particular level, I work in a football team, it doesn't affect me.

"But as a football lover it affects me and it is very saddening. One hopes desperately that measures will be taken to make certain it doesn't happen again."

Dyke has called for the FIFA presidential election to go ahead on Friday despite the scandal.