Warner said the furore over the gift had caused embarrassment for his wife Maureen and she returned it yesterday morning.

It is understood England 2018 have decided not to give any more handbags as gifts to other FIFA executive committee members.

Warner told Press Association Sport: "I believe this was a very innocuous gift given by the FA to my wife for her birthday that led to her being embarrassed by the English media.

"It was just a symbolic gift and was completely unsolicited - it didn't matter if it cost £2 or £200.

"As far as I am concerned my wife is sacrosanct and I want no part of anything that affects her so we decided to return the bag and she did so yesterday morning."

Warner was speaking after being contacted in the Nigerian city of Ijebu-Ode, where he is running FIFA's under-17 World Cup.

England 2018 have insisted the gift was both within the spirit and the letter of FIFA's rules for bidding countries.

The rules state there can be "no monetary gifts" and only gifts generally regarded as having "symbolic or incidental value" can be made to FIFA executive committee members or their families.