FA chief Greg Dyke to return watch received at World Cup in Brazil
Thursday 18 September 2014 21:52, UK
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has confirmed he was given a £16,400 watch by the Brazilian FA during the World Cup but insists he had no idea of the gift’s value and would now return it.
The heads of all 32 qualifying countries and FIFA's executive committee were given the Swiss watches, but FIFA's ethics committee said that accepting such valuable gifts contravenes their rules.
The committee has demanded that all the watches be returned by October 24 otherwise it will launch disciplinary proceedings.
Dyke said: "During the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo, a bag with a watch inside was left in my hotel room by the Brazilian FA. I had no idea of the value and it has been left untouched in my office since returning to England.
"We are already taking steps to return the bag and its contents - which are still in their original packaging.
"I welcome FIFA's investigation on the matter, including their intention to donate the items to good causes back in Brazil.
"The fact that gifts of great value are being handed out randomly and often with the recipient unaware shows up a culture in need of change. I had actually set the bag aside in my box of items to donate to charity."
Dyke's conduct though has not pleased former FA chief executive Ian Watmore who believes the chairman had shown 'poor judgement'.
Watmore said on Twitter: "V.poor from Greg Dyke in not returning watch straightaway. Error of judgement which weakens FA stance against FIFA."
