world news plus

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — FIFA executive committee member Worawi Makudi has denied wrongdoing as world football's governing body begins an investigation into whether development funds for the sport were spent on land he owns.

FIFA has asked Worawi to clarify claims that $860,000 in grants was spent on a football training facility and a building on land he owned in his home city of Bangkok.

Worawi said the land had been transferred to the Football Association of Thailand; a body of which he is president.

He was quoted in Thai media saying he had already responded to the accusations and was "really disappointed because FIFA should have understood. Their failure to do so has tainted my reputation."