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BBC Panorama has confirmed it has contacted Fifa and individual executive committee members about the findings of its investigations into World Cup bidding.

The news will cause further worry to England 2018 World Cup bid leaders who fear their campaign is being damaged by Britain-based media investigations.

Two Fifa executive committee members have already been suspended following a Sunday Times undercover sting, and the fact that others have now been asked by Panorama for responses to their investigation is likely to infuriate world football's top brass.

A Panorama spokesman said: "We have contacted Fifa and individual executive committee members regarding our findings. We are currently awaiting a response."

Former sports minister Richard Caborn said the BBC should send all the evidence Panorama has uncovered to Fifa's independent ethics committee immediately, rather than deliver shock revelations when the programme is screened just three days before the vote for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

As revealed last week, England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson visited BBC director general Mark Thompson to express fears that the Panorama investigation could fatally harm the bid.

Caborn, formerly ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown's World Cup bid ambassador, said: "If Panorama or any other media have any evidence of any wrongdoing, they should immediately refer that to the Fifa ethics committee so that it can be examined by the independent panel.

"Whilst I agree that newspapers and television have every right to investigate, they should not be used in a selfish way for circulation or viewing figures and damaging the England bid.

"The importance of the England bid for ordinary fans is considerable and therefore any evidence should be referred to the new ethics committee immediately."

Bid leaders already admit that the recent Sunday Times investigation into Fifa members has caused "significant damage" to their campaign for 2018 and are worried that the Panorama programme will intensify the backlash against them.