FIFA won't give verdict of World Cup corruption probe until next spring

FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert said soccer's governing body won't announce its verdict in the corruption investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process until next spring.

FIFA ethics judge Joachim Eckert told reporters that FIFA's corruption probe into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process won't make its verdict public until next spring.

FIFA is investigating the winning bids of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, won by Russia and Qatar.

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Allegations have been made that Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam paid millions of dollars to former FIFA vice president Jack Warner to secure the bid for his country. The bidding process has been marred by allegations of collusion and bribery. 

"I understand it is urgent," Eckert told an ethics in sport conference at FIFA, according to the Associated Press. “Even if I'm used to reading fast, with due respect I will take some time."

Eckert said that he is reading through about 430 pages of investigative reports from FIFA prosecutor Michael Garcia. He expects to finish mining through the documents by November. 

While many have called for a re-vote, Eckert told BBC Sport that his decisions will only focus on individuals and that he will not recommend a re-vote. He said that FIFA's executive committee or its congress would have to commission a re-vote. 

- Scooby Axson