(CNN) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup has not been harmed by allegations of corruption that resulted in the suspension of two executive committee members on Thursday.
Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Reynald Temarri of Tahiti were banned by football's world governing body after British newspaper The Sunday Times claimed they had asked for money in exchange for their votes.
Four other officials from the organization were also suspended after an investigation by its ethics committee, but some FIFA members were angered by the newspaper's conduct.
Speaking at a press conference at FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland, Blatter said the scandal would not affect England's chances ahead of the December 2 vote to decide who hosts the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
"Why should this have an influence on the English bid?" the 74-year-old told reporters in Zurich.
CNN
