Australia's 2022 World Cup bid cleared

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• Frank Lowy recovering from surgery

AUSTRALIA'S bid for the 2022 World Cup has been cleared of any impropriety by soccer's global governing body, FIFA.

An investigation into the conduct of Football Federation Australia's (FFA) bid for the tournament has been conducted by FIFA since allegations of improper conduct were aired by Fairfax newspapers.

However FIFA have given the bid a clean bill of health, writing to the FFA to inform them.

"We stated all along that those damaging allegations were false," said FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

"Subsequently we have been cleared by the federal government, independent auditors and now by FIFA.

"With this behind us we can now concentrate on our bid to bring the biggest sporting event in the world to Australia in 2022.

"If we are successful it will be a thrilling result for football fans and provide a lasting legacy for all major sports and a huge benefit to the national economy."

The FFA, chaired by Australia's richest man Frank Lowy, have subsequently commenced defamation proceedings against The Age.