Qatar faces 'brown envelope' bribery probe over athletics bid

Qatar faces 'brown envelope' bribery probe over athletics bid
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) is launching an investigation into claims of bribery related to Qatar's unsuccessful bid to host the 2017 world athletics championship.
1 min read
20 January, 2016
IAAF President Sebastian Coe said that he was unaware of the allegations [Getty]

Claims of bribery by Qatar in the bidding process for the 2017 world athletics championship are being officially investigated.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) launched the enquiry after allegations of "brown envelopes" being handed to members of the IAAF Council the night before votes were cast in 2011.

Qatar and the UK were shortlisted as the final bidders to host the event next year. 

Although London went on to win the bid, Ed Warner, chairman of UK Athletics, said on Sunday that his bid team were told about the envelopes handed to the IAAF Council members.

Warner also said his team agreed to spend $7.2 million to cover prize money, having been warned they were unlikely to succeed if they did not.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe confirmed the news of the investigation on Sunday.

Qatar has denied any wrongdoing in its bids for either the 2017 championship or the 2019 championship, which it will host.