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FA did seek 'background information' on rival World Cup bids

The Football Association has admitted that "media and corporate affairs consultants" were used to gather background information on the bidding process for the World Cup.

The Sunday Times has published claims that officials received information from former MI6 staff about the Russian and Qatari World Cup bids.

In a statement the FA said all its activities had been declared to Fifa ethics investigator Michael Garcia as part of his investigation into the bids.

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FA: We did seek 'background information' on World Cup bids

The Football Association has said that "media and corporate affairs consultants" were used to gather background information on other countreis' World Cup bids.

But the FA says it disclosed all its activities to ethics investigator Michael Garcia as part of his investigation into the bidding process.

The Sunday Times has published claims that officials received information from former MI6 staff about the Russian and Qatari World Cup bids.

However this and the paper's claims there is a "database" of intelligence on rival bids has not been corroborated.

Read: Claims officials 'used information from ex-spies for World Cup probe'

In a statement the FA said the England 2018 team "complied with all disclosure requests" from Mr Garcia.

The FA can confirm the England 2018 bid engaged with a number of parties around the world to provide general and background information on the progress of the bidding process within different countries and perspectives.

These were media and corporate affairs consultants engaged on a confidential basis to gather intelligence.

The fact the bid team had taken advice on intelligence gathering was referenced to Mr Garcia as part of the investigative process.

The FA reiterates that it has fully complied with all disclosure requests made by Mr Garcia.

– FA statement
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FA did seek 'background information' on rival World Cup bids

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