Australia 2022 bid ethics to be cleared

FOOTBALL Federation Australia expects FIFA to clear it of allegations of offering illegal gifts and inducements in the bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy has told The Associated Press he believes FIFA's ethics committee could publish its favourable report "within days."

Lowy says the episode has done the bid no credit, but insists FFA broke no rules.

FIFA started investigating last month after The Age newspaper reported that FIFA executive members who choose World Cup hosts were given jewellery and offered travel expenses.

Australia's government cleared the federation of further allegations about accounting practices and use of taxpayer funds.

The federation is suing the newspaper for defamation.