Wales won't go to FIFA over bribery claims

Following reports in the Russian media, Belarus players were bribed to throw their match against Wales in Cardiff last October, but David Collins, the chief executive of the Welsh FA, has said it is now a matter between Belarus and FIFA.

Wales only success in the World Cup qualifying tournament has been tarnished by allegations after an interview in the Russian media with quotes from Belarus' goalkeeper Gennady Tumilovich.

Recently voted Belarus' player of the year, Tumilovich claims team-mates were 'only going through the motions' after being offered gifts, which he claims helped the Ukraine to finish second in Group Five behind Poland.

Belarus had been widely tipped to beat Wales after crushing the eventual group winners 4-1 in their previous match.

The Ukraine went on to lose their play-off match against Germany and failed to qualify for the World Cup finals next summer, but Mr Collins has said Wales will not be taking the matter further.

He said: "We haven't approached FIFA and I have heard nothing from them.

"As far as we are concerned, we won the match and it's a matter between Belarus and the Ukraine."

A spokesman for FIFA, football's governing body based in Switzerland, said an investigation would be launched if the FAW approached them.

FIFA's Andreas Herren said: "We have only heard media reports about the allegations of bribery, an association would have to make a case and provide us with hard and fast evidence before we would investigate further."

Wales assistant manager Mark Bowen has rubbished the reports.

He said: "It must be asked why it has taken so long for all this to come out. Obviously Tumilovich has got an axe to grind.

"What he's saying should be treated with the contempt it deserves."

Bowen added he was upset that the bribery slur would detract from a good Welsh performance which saw Celtic's John Hartson win the game with his 47th minute strike.