Triesman "Bribery" Allegations Against Spain

World governing body Fifa is to probe ex-Football Association chairman Lord Triesman's "bribery" comments over the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup.
Triesman was caught up in a tabloid sting suggesting Spain could drop its bid if rival bidder Russia helped bribe referees at this summer's World Cup. This two days after England lodged a formal bid to host the competition in 2018 or 2022. This bid has now been seriously damaged by the revelations.
Fifa has now written to the FA asking for a report on the Triesman case.
The FA has vowed to co-operate fully with Fifa, whose rules prohibit bidders from commenting on rival campaigns.

A Fifa statement read: "Fifa can confirm that secretary general Jerome Valcke has requested its Ethics Committee to examine the alleged statements made by Lord Triesman in relation to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

"In addition, Fifa has sent a letter to the Football Association asking the FA to provide a report on this matter, including Lord Triesman's position.
"Fifa will not make any further comment on this matter until it has been dealt with by the Fifa Ethics Committee."

Triesman was secretly recorded allegedly divulging sensitive information to a former aide, including a claim that Spain and Russia, rival bidders for the 2018 World Cup, were conspiring to bribe referees at next month's finals in South Africa as part of efforts to win the right to host the tournament.

The former Labour peer, who also resigned from his post as chairman of England's 2018 World Cup team, accused the Mail on Sunday newspaper of engaging in "entrapment" tactics in order to cause him personal embarrassment.
"In that conversation I commentated on speculation circulating about conspiracies around the world," said Triesman.
"Those comments were never intended to be taken seriously as indeed is the case with many private conversations."
The FA has apologised for Triesman's claims to the Spanish and Russian governing bodies, with copies of the letter obtained by a number of news agencies.
"England 2018 unreservedly apologises for these comments, for any suggestions of any improper behaviour on the part of any members of the Russian football family, our fellow bidders and for any express or implied criticism of the Russian Football Federation or of Fifa," part of the letter read.
"The comments reported to have been made by Lord Triesman in no way represent the views of England 2018, any employee, director, ambassador, consultant or adviser to the bid.

"England 2018 bitterly regrets any damage to the integrity of the Russian football family, Fifa or any of its member associations caused by these comments. We are available to discuss this matter at your convenience."

Before Triesman's unwanted spell in the headlines, England's 2018 World Cup candidacy was generally viewed as having a good chance of success.
But the bid team now faces an uphill task to persuade Fifa's executive to award England the event for the first time since 1966.

Spanish Village Cashes In, Bringing Back Peseta

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Spanish Stubs Out Cigarettes

Smokers stubbed out their cigarettes in tapas bars and restaurants across Spain as one of Europe's strictest anti-tobacco laws came into force on Sunday. After a one-day amnesty granted for New Year's Day, the new law banning smoking in all bars, restaurants and public places took effect at the stroke of midnight Saturday.

Man Rescued On Madrid Railway Tracks

A man who fell onto a railway line in Madrid was saved from serious injury or possible death by an off-duty policeman. [No sound]

Spain Flights Resume Following Controller Strike

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Al-Qaeda Arrests In Spain

Police have arrested at least seven people in Spain after a raid on a group suspected of forging passports for an al-Qaeda-linked Islamic terrorist group.

Spain's Interior Ministry provided no other details, but the country's leading Cadena SER radio says the detainees formed part of a group based in Thailand and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terror group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai, India, attacks that killed 166 people.

The arrests took place late Tuesday and early Wednesday in the northeastern city of Barcelona and in the surrounding region of Catalonia.

SER and other Spanish media say the arrested are mostly Pakistanis who stole passports that were later doctored and sent to Thailand for distribution to groups linked to al-Qaeda.

Spain To Privatise Barcelona & Madrid Airports

The Spanish government plans to privatise the country's top two airports, as part of a series of measures seeking to jumpstart anaemic economic growth.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told legislators in Parliament that Madrid's Barajas and Barcelona's El Prat airports will be run by private operators under a licensing, or concession system. Both airports have been recently remodeled and expanded to absorb increased passenger traffic in coming years.

The country's airport operator AENA will also sell a 49% stake to private operators, above initial plans to sell a 30% stake.

The government is also planning to sell 30% of Spain's state-owned lottery company, Zapatero added.

Ready, Set, Snooze! Spain Holds Siesta Contest

A sleepy Spain is holding a siesta contest to promote the traditional nap that's endangered by the hectic modern lifestyle.

General Strike In Spain, But Impact May Be Limited

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Spain Rejects Basque Truce Offer

The Spanish government has rejected a ceasefire announcement by the Basque militant group ETA. Madrid ruled out talks on Basque independence and said police would continue their crackdown on the group.

ETA Declares Ceasefire In Struggle With Spain

Basque separatist group ETA declared a ceasefire Sunday in its bloody 42-year campaign for a homeland independent of Spain, vowing to give up guns and bombs to seek a democratic solution. [An extract from the ETA announcement]

Spanish Food Fight Festival

Thousands of people descended on the Spanish town of Bunol on Wednesday to take part in the Tomatina festival.

Spanish Aid Workers Freed By Al-Qaeda Return Home

Two Spanish aid workers freed by Al-Qaeda's North African offshoot returned home after nine months in captivity following the reported payment of a ransom of millions of euros.

Bullfighting Protesters Strip Down

More than 100 semi-naked protesters lay down in the shape of a dying bull Saturday outside one of Spain's most iconic buildings the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao to demand an end to bullfighting in the Basque Region.

Flotilla of Stinging Jellyfish Hit Spanish Beach

A vast flotilla of small, virtually undetectable jellyfish stung hundreds of people along Spanish beaches this week, the kind of swimmer's nightmare that biologists say will be increasingly common because of climate change.
Elche is just south of Alicante.

Michelle Obama Meets Spain's King

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha had lunch with Spain's King and Queen on Sunday at the royal family's holiday retreat on the resort island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean.

Spain's Catalonia Region Bans Bullfighting

Catalonia's parliament on Wednesday voted to ban bullfighting from January 1, 2012, becoming the first region in mainland Spain to outlaw the centuries-old tradition.

Spain's 'Low Cost' Prostitutes

Dozens of prostitutes for less than a hundred euros a trick, and apparently within the law: that's what many brothels here have on offer, just six kilometres over the border from France, in the Pyrenees. The place is making a name for itself among the French a popularity that local authorities could have done without.

Nine Injured in Running of the Bulls

Nine thrill-seeking runners were injured, three by goring, in a dangerous last running of the bulls at Spain's San Fermin festival, officials said Wednesday. It was the bloodiest run of this years festival.

Running Of The Bulls

At least three people ended up in the hospital with minor injuries after Tuesday's running of the bulls, the second-to-last running in this year's San Fermin festival in Pamplona.

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