Interesting lobbying news from across the pond: according to Australian newspapers, two European lobbyists scored major money – up to 11.37 million dollars (Australian) in contracts, based on their ability to bring the 2022 World Cup successfully to Australia. But they may have overstepped the line in offering gifts or bribes to FIFA officials.

According to the news reports, the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) “also handed out pearl cufflinks, offered a free trip to Australia to a [FIFA] committee member for his birthday, and paid for a football team linked to FIFA vice president Jack Warner to visit Cyprus last year.”

FIFA is investigating whether there was any wrongdoing on the part of the FFA. The U.S. is also considered a strong contender as host for the world’s most popular sporting event.