FIFA announced a separate investigation into the alleged collusion between Spain/Portugal's bid for 2018 and Qatar's for 2022 - although they did not name the countries - at the same time as opening proceedings against two executive committee members who were trapped by the Sunday Times asking for cash for World Cup votes.

FIFA said they were investigating "rumours" of collusion, something that has caused consternation to both bids and led to Portuguese football federation president Gilberto Madail saying it was "odd" that FIFA had chosen to launch the two separate investigations simultaneously.

Other figures involved in World Cup bidding believe this could be FIFA's attempt to damage Qatar's bid because they do not want to risk the World Cup going to a country where the heat is so extreme.

Madail said: "We received with surprise and indignation the analysis that FIFA's ethics committee may conduct on a rumour... circulated in September in the English media about an alleged deal between the Iberian and the Qatari bids for hosting the World Cup.

"It is odd that there is an attempt to launch completely unfounded suspicions about the Iberian bid at a time when there are news reports about alleged vote-selling for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups involving other bids."

Madail "categorically denied" any collusion with Qatar and said the allegations could be part of a ploy to destabilise the bid.

FIFA did not respond when asked to comment on Madail's remarks.

England, Holland/Belgium and Russia are also bidding for 2018. Russia today announced they, like England, have withdrawn from the 2022 contest - though that is a formality as now 2018 is definitely to go to Europe, 2022 will be decided between Qatar, USA, Australia, South Korea and Japan.