Arias brands Triesman claims 'ridiculous'

Spanish football federation secretary general Jorge Perez Arias has labelled the idea of his country trying to bribe World Cup referees as "ridiculous".

England's hopes of hosting the 2018 tournament were dealt a blow on Sunday after Lord Triesman, who has since resigned as chairman of both the FA and the bid, allegedly told a former aide that Spain were planning to bribe referees at this summer's World Cup and offer their support to Russia's bid for the 2018 World Cup if they were to help.

Arias, who heads Spain's joint bid with Portugal to host the World Cup in eight years' time, has since shrugged off such suggestions, and was quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "The idea Spain is trying to bribe World Cup referees is, of course, ridiculous. We like to compete and participate fairly and try always to do the best we can."

He added: "Fortunately we've now been qualifying for the final phases of the Euro and World Cup competitions for several years now.

"We were able to arm a good team that had the fortune and skill to win Euro 2008 and we're going to South Africa wanting to do the best possible.

"It's as simple as that for us.

"As far as 2018 goes, we're trying to progress our bid to host the competition with Portugal. If we win that would be wonderful and if another country is chosen, we'd be happy as well because all the candidates are good ones."

Portuguese FA president Gilberto Madail added: "This kind of story is indicative of an uneasiness on the part of England.

"These stories are absurd and unfounded. They have no effect whatsoever on our joint bid. We are in absolute harmony with Spain until the end."