AUSTRALIAN officials said they were unaware of any FIFA probe into comments by Socceroos about betting among themselves on who would score Australia's first World Cup goal.
English tabloid newspaper News Of The World today claimed world soccer's governing body was to investigate the Socceroos and cited quotes attributed to Tim Cahill and captain Mark Viduka.
"We have not heard from FIFA on this matter and we are unaware of any investigation," an Australian official said.
Another official described the story as "nonsense".
In the wake of Australia's opening 3-1 win over Japan, Cahill told Melbourne's Herald Sun that teammates Lucas Neill and Archie Thompson had "backed" him to become Australia's first ever World Cup goalscorer.
"They both backed me. That's why when I got the first I ran to Archie (on the touchline)," said Cahill.
Viduka revealed the in-house betting prior to the match, though he said he had not had a bet.
"The other day some of the boys were taking bets on who was going to be the first," Viduka said before the game.
"I didn't bet," he said, "and I didn't hear the rest of the conversation."
There was no mention of money changing hands.
All players at the finals in Germany signed a pre-tournament agreement stating that they would abstain from betting during the tournament.
A FIFA official told the News of the World: "I can confirm that the declaration set out by FIFA and signed by all players and staff of each of the 32 nations clearly states that no betting is allowed for the members of the delegations.
"This includes internal betting within the players of any team, which is also strictly not allowed.
"The committee has made it very clear that no betting in any form should be taking place and they will investigate any case thoroughly."
A FIFA official told the News Of The World the matter had now been referred to FIFA's disciplinary committee.
The story could not have been more ill-timed, coming just hours before the Socceroos' important Group F clash with Brazil in Munich.
source : news.com.au
