Sepp Blatter has suggested the choice of host countries for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were decided well in advance.
"2018 FIFA World Cup will be organised in Russia."
After months of planning and hundreds of millions of dollars, that was the moment a host nation was picked from six potential candidates.
Or was it?
Comments made in an interview with a Russian news agency by suspended FIFA chairman Sepp Blatter suggest otherwise.
"It was agreed inside the group that we go to Russia because we have never been to Eastern Europe and for 2022 we go back to America. And so we will have the World Cup in the two biggest political powers."
The United States was usurped by Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, a swing Blatter alleges was orchestrated by the French government and UEFA president Michel Platini.
England's Football Association Chairman Greg Dyke wants an explanation.
"I think we can write to FIFA and say can you please explain what he's saying here? Is he saying this was pre-decided, because if so the whole world changes. But I suspect they'll just write back and say no, he was just misquoted."
Australia's football community is also demanding to know what level of consideration was given to Australia's $42 million bid for the 2022 World Cup.
Former Socceroo captain Paul Wade says compensation may be in order.
"Give us our money back straight away. If Sepp Blatter's opinion is that it was either going to Russia of America that in itself, in the light of everything else, is just incredible."
Football Federation Australia's $500,000 payment to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner during the bidding process is also being investigated by British anti-fraud authorities.
The expense and ongoing drama of the failed World Cup bid has Paul Wade believing it could be Australia's last.
"We won't be allowed to bid again. There's no doubt the government won't allow that to happen again. It's going to take a couple of generations before any faith is shown in FIFA."
Sepp Blatter is being investigated on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation, in an action launched by Swiss and US authorities last May.
He's also been suspended from FIFA on accusations he made corrupt payments to Michel Platini.
FIFA's sponsors are calling for an overhaul of the organisation.
Peter Franklin, from major sponsor Coca Cola, says it needs to be vetted by an outside authority.
"We have formed an opinion that FIFA could not reform itself and it needed to have eminent third parties to come in and help with the reform process, lead the reform process."
Despite his admissions, Sepp Blatter still says Russia is not in danger of losing the 2018 World Cup
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