Former NZF boss: U20 World Cup bid was clean

Former New Zealand Football CEO Michael Glading. Photo / NZF.

The man who personally presented New Zealand's bid to host the 2015 U20 World Cup to Fifa officials in Zurich says the process was corruption free.

Former NZ Football boss Michael Glading says the bid process, which New Zealand contested with Turkey, Peru and Wales, was "100 per cent straight".

"I'd be staggered if any of the under-age events were in any way involved in any corruption," Mr Glading said. "I'd be staggered with that."

"Unfortunately the imagery of Fifa, of course, at the very top level of the game there are some very muddy waters and this is obviously flushing that out. But in the development area of the game Fifa is amazing.'

Mr Glading said he not received any untoward approaches or witnessed any questionable behavior by Fifa officials during the bidding process.

"Absolutely zero. It was 100 per cent straight."

Sport NZ had paid for his flights to Zurich to present the bid in person. Once he was there Fifa appointed an official to help him with the bidding process but had otherwise not had any input.

Mr Glading said it would be shame if the scandal detracted from the event, which kicks off on Saturday when New Zealand take on Ukraine in Albany.

"This is a global story and very international happening and I'd hate to see it localized.

We are on the eve of what is going to be a brilliant event and it shouldn't change anything. I can't believe it will. At the end of the day there is going to be some amazing football. Stars of tomorrow are going to be in front of ours, probably for the only time.

"If I was on the organizing committee right now I'd be going 'oh no'. But I have talked to a couple of them and they are just heads down and getting on with it. Life will certainly go on.

"We are talking about corruption in the politics of the game, we are not talking about players on the field being done for bribery. I think there is a difference. I'm not saying it's healthy but I think the games and the event will be unaffected."