FA chairman Lord Triesman resigned after a British newspaper claimed that he suggested Spain could end its bid for the 2018 World Cup if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

Triesman, 66, also quit as chairman of England's 2018 World Cup Bid Board, two days after he and England soccer star David Beckham delivered England's 1,752-page bid book to FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter in Zurich.

The Mail on Sunday claimed to have obtained a tape recorded conversation of Triesman talking to her former aide Melissa Jacobs, who said she had a relationship with Triesman in 2008.

FA chairman Lord Triesman (L) resigned after a British newspaper claimed that he suggested Spain could end its bid for the 2018 World Cup if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

During the conversation, Triesman said: "My assumption is that the Latin Americans, although they've not said so, will vote for Spain. And if Spain drop out, because Spain are looking for help from the Russians to help bribe the referees in the World Cup, their votes may then switch to Russia."

Hours after the news hit the headline of British media, Triesman said: "I have decided to resign as chairman of The FA and the 2018 Bid Board."

"A private conversation with someone whom I thought to be a friend was taped without my knowledge and passed to a national newspaper. That same friend has also chosen to greatly exaggerate the extent of our friendship.

【体坛英语资讯：FA boss resigns for World Cup bribe scandal】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：Diving champ marries pop singer

★ 体坛英语资讯：Djokovic tops Federer at Australian Open

★ 体坛英语资讯：China to make cricket global - Asian boss

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Movie chief testifies in Hollywood wiretap trial

★ 体坛英语资讯：Government cooperation needed in doping fight

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Nicole Kidman describes paparazzi chase

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jennifer Aniston tops US magazine cover face list

★ 体坛英语资讯：Route of Beijing Olympic torch relay in Dar es Salaam confirmed

★ 体坛英语资讯：Inter maintain lead with 2-0 win at Fiorentina

★ 娱乐英语资讯：American country music superstar Eddy Arnold dies at 89