A British newspaper claims Russia bribed World Soccer officials with priceless works of art to secure a winning bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
The Sunday Times is reporting that Russian officials picked art from the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg to sweeten the deal. A painting, believed to be a Picasso, was allegedly gifted to FIFA executive Michel Platini in order to secure his support for Russia’s bid.
A Belgian FIFA member was also the recipient of an unidentified painting from a Russian official, according to the report.
Russia is denying the allegations. So are the FIFA officials. They are currently being investigated by a British parliamentary committee, which lost out to Russia in the bid for the 2018 World Cup.
