PHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN KERRY AND LAVROV

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry agreed in a phone conversation on Sunday on the importance of ensuring a swift ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, a Foreign Ministry statement in Moscow said.

But the State Department said Kerry did not accept Lavrov's denial that heavy weapons from Russia were contributing to the conflict and urged him "to stop the flow of heavy weapons and rocket and artillery fire from Russia into Ukraine, and to begin to contribute to de-escalating the conflict."

"During a phone call this afternoon, Secretary Kerry urged Foreign Minister Lavrov to stop the flow of heavy weapons and rocket and artillery fire from Russia into Ukraine, and to begin to contribute to de-escalating the conflict," the State Department said in readout of the call. "He did not accept Foreign Minister Lavrov’s denial that heavy weapons from Russia were contributing to the conflict."

Washington and the West accuse Moscow of supporting rebels fighting Ukrainian troops in the east of the former Soviet republic with coaching, military-grade artilleries, and blasting by Russian troops on Ukrainian positions across the border.

On July 17, Russian-backed rebels downed Malaysia Flight MH17, killing all 298 people on board.

 A senior State Department official stressed an additional point of the phone call in a subsequent email, saying Kerry "underlined our support for a mutual cease-fire verified by the OSCE and reaffirmed our strong support for the international investigation to show the facts of MH17."

Moscow denies involvement in east Ukraine. The Russian statement described the crisis is an "internal conflict."

Lovren finally Join liverpool

He will now join up with Liverpool on the second half of their United States in either New York - where they play Manchester City on Wednesday - or Charlotte, where AC Milan will be the opponents a week today in the Guinness International Tournament.  

Lovren, who joins former Southampton colleagues Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana at Anfield, told liverpoolfc.com: 'It's a dream come true.

I'm happy and glad to be here. I'm proud and can't wait to start.

 I know we have millions and millions of supporters - Liverpool is more than a club.

'After I played at Anfield last season, I said to myself: "One day I hope I'll be able to play here for Liverpool.

The fans will know from the first minute that I'm a player that will give 100 per cent on the pitch.

Russia Set to pay $50 billion over Yukos

An international court on ordered Russia to pay over $50 billion in compensation to the former shareholder of now-defunct oil producer YUKOS over the expropriation of the company more than 10 years ago.

In one of the largest arbitration cases ever, a subsidiary for GML Ltd., once the biggest shareholder in  Yukos Oil Co ltd had sought $103.5 billion from Russia.

Putin wishes Obama happy July

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday he hoped for better ties with the United States in a July Fourth message to his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama.

The Independence Day wishes come at a time when relations between the two nations are at their lowest ebb since the Cold War, fueled by tensions over Russia's actions in Ukraine.

According to the Kremlin website, Putin "expressed a hope for the successful development of the relationship between both countries, based on equal rights and utilitarianism, despite all the difficulties and disagreements they are facing at the moment."

Putin also said that since the two nations are responsible for global security, they "should cooperate in the interests of not just their own people, but the entire world."

He urged the building of a bilateral relationship based on "mutual respect" and understanding of each other's interests.

Moscow has repeatedly complained that the West has not taken its legitimate interests in Ukraine into consideration or treated it as an equal partner.

The White House gave a muted response to Putin's gesture.

"We've seen the message but have no particular comment," said National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden.

The United States and European Union have imposed targeted economic sanctions on Russian individuals and companies in response to Moscow's actions in Ukraine.

Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region in March despite condemnation from the West. Its amassing of troops along the border with Ukraine has led to heightened tensions.

The EU and the United States have repeatedly warned Moscow that more economic sanctions could be imposed if it doesn't act to defuse the crisis.

In a bid to end the pro-Russia separatist unrest roiling the east of his country, Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko has proposed a peace plan that calls for the rebels to lay down their arms and engage in talks.

He also urged the strengthening of Ukraine-Russia border controls, the freeing of hostages and changes to the Ukrainian Constitution to decentralize power.

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen urged Moscow last week "to create conditions for the implementation of the peace plan, to end its support for separatist troops, and to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across its border."

Marina joins rebel movement in Ukraine

Marina said "I'm from Russia, from Kuban, I'm 23 years old, I used to work at a rescue organization and I got here because I couldn't stay out of the situation," 

Marina isn't Ukrainian, she crossed a border to join the fight rarely admitted by rebel forces. Help for Donetsk Peoples' Republic, the formal name of the rebels, comes from Russia in many forms, and this combat medic was another example.

Now, she spends her days in hospital, receiving care from doctors who are as concerned about their neutrality as they are about their patients.

Marina was wounded in one of these hot areas where fierce fighting continues.

Slovyansk was under mortar fire and I helped pull a family out of the debris," Marina proudly said.
Not long after that, she was shot.

Her punctured lung made her pant as she tried to speak. Determined to continue talking, sitting upright on her bed, she was already thinking about what to do after recovery.

"I want to join the fight again, there's a shortage of medical staff, and I want to help; Fascism won't be tolerated." Marina said.

Israel rejects peace talks

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said ground operations in Gaza could soon be broadened "significantly".

Mr Kerry said he still hoped for an initial seven-day truce next week.

Hamas, the Islamist group which controls Gaza, said earlier it would not accept a deal without an end to Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

More than 800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 36 Israelis have died since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas which entered its 18th day on Friday.

A senior Israeli official told the Reporter that Mr Yaalon and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were "considering a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza.

Air Algerie says missing plane apparently crashed in Mali

A passenger plane carrying 116 people is feared to have crashed on a flight from Burkina Faso to the Algerian capital Algiers.

Contact with the Air Algerie flight was lost over the Sahara as it crossed Mali in bad weather, officials said.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said the plane, which has 50 French citizens aboard, "probably crashed".

French media reported that soldiers had found wreckage in Tilemsi, central Mali, but this was not confirmed.

Contact with Flight AH 5017, chartered from Spanish airline Swiftair, was lost about 50 minutes after take-off from Ouagadougou, Air Algerie said.

The pilot had contacted Niger's control tower in Niamey to change course because of a storm, officials say.

Speaking in Paris, Mr Fabius said: "Despite intensive search efforts no trace of the aircraft has yet been found. The plane probably crashed."

He said French Mirage fighter planes were scouring the area.

Earlier, an Algerian official told Reuters that the plane had crashed, but gave no further details.

France's civil aviation body said crisis centres had been set up at airports in Paris and Marseille.

An Air Algerie spokesman quoted by Reuters said the provisional passenger list included 50 French citizens, 24 people from Burkina Faso, eight Lebanese, four Algerians, two from Luxembourg, one Belgian, one Swiss, one Nigerian, one Cameroonian, one Ukrainian and one Romanian.

Manchester United beat LA Galaxy 7-0

The England striker scored from the penalty spot and tapped home from close-range as the Premier League giants ran riot at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in the Dutchman's first game

Louis van Gaal opened his reign at Manchester United manager with a stunning 7-0 win over LA Galaxy as doubles from Wayne Rooney, Reece James and Ashley Young, along with a strike from Danny Welbeck, sealed a comfortable victory.

New recruits Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw were handed starts, while Van Gaal - David Moyes' replacement - opted for a 3-4-1-2 formation that was similar to that used by the Netherlands at the World Cup in Brazil.

The change in system proved effective during the early exchanges and Welbeck got the ball rolling in the 13th minute, benefiting from an advantage following a foul on Juan Mata before striking the ball off the post and into the net from a full 25 yards.

United gained a stranglehold of proceedings in the 42nd minute, when Rooney converted a spot-kick after the referee awarded a penalty for handball against the Galaxy, who are fourth in the Western Conference standings in MLS.

Rooney then put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of half-time, pouncing on some awful defending to bundle the ball over the line for his second of the match.

Van Gaal made wholesale changes at the break, with Darren Fletcher and Herrera the only two players to keep their places in the XI, and it ultimately disrupted the flow of the game.

However, Young cut the ball back in the box and it found its way to James, who scored a similar goal to Welbeck just past the hour-mark, before the 20-year-old struck again with five minutes remaining.

But United were not done there with Young getting in on the action with two goals in as many minutes during the closing stages to add some sheen to the scoreline.

Taiwan Plane Crash: At Least 51 Reportedly Dead As TransAsia Plane Makes Emergency Landing

A passenger plane has crashed after a failed emergency landing in Taiwan, killing more than 40 people, local officials say.

The domestic TransAsia Airways flight crashed near Magong airport on the outlying Penghu island, reports said.

There were a total of 54 passengers and four crew on board, Taiwan's CNA news agency reported.

Aviation officials said flight GE222 aborted its initial landing and then crashed, local media reported.

Fifty-one people were feared dead and seven were injured, CNA reported, citing fire department officials.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel are still attempting to rescue those on board.

Local firefighters say the plane did not reach the airport landing strip, but crashed nearby, losing contact with flight radars for a few moments before the crash, the BBC's Cindy Sui in Taipei reports.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a big fire from the scene of the crash, our correspondent adds.

David Vargas, a spokesman for plane manufacturer ATR, told the BBC's Chinese service: "We are aware of the crash. We are trying to get more information and confirm what went wrong."

Man United Ready, Willing and Able to Break World Transfer Record This Summer

Man United are ready to hand new boss Louis van Gaal ample transfer funds this summer as he sets about erasing the memory of last term’s shocking seventh place Premier League finish according to the Guardian.

The Old Trafford side have already spent around £60m on Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw but the club’s chief executive is keen to point out that, if necessary, the Dutch manager would have the backing to make a world transfer record bid with Ed Woodward stating;

“It’s difficult to deal in hypotheticals based on lots of different things,”

“The reality is that we’re not afraid of spending significant amounts of money in the transfer market.”

“Whether it’s a record or not doesn’t really resonate with us. What resonates is an elite player that the manager wants who is going to be a star for Manchester United.”

One wonders whether any available targets would come anywhere near breaking the transfer record but the general feeling is that van Gaal has the all the funds he needs in order to deal with any ‘problem’ areas of his squad.

Defensively Man United could well do with reinforcements given the departure of veteran centre-back Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and the club could well do with added quality in the central midfield department, with a view to bringing in a player who can make a real impact in the final third.

Among those said to be on van Gaal’s wish-list are Mats Hummels, Angel di Maria, Juan Cuadrado and Dutch pair Stefan de Vrij & Daley Blind.

Man United recently agreed a lucrative £750 kit deal with Adidas which will certainly help to fund big moves in the transfer market though the absence of Champions League action may prove something of an obstacle this summer.

I no longer talk to Obama: Turkey's Erdogan

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses deputies of his ruling Justice and Development …

Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he has stopped talking to US President Barack Obama on the phone, amid growing strains between Ankara and Washington over Syria and the Gaza conflict.

Turkey, a fierce opponent of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and an open supporter of armed rebel fighters, felt betrayed when the United States backed away from military action against Damascus in September.

"In the past, I was calling him (Obama) directly. Because I can't get the expected results on Syria, our foreign ministers are now talking to each other," Erdogan said in a live interview on pro-government ATV channel late Monday.

"And I have talked to (US Vice President Joe) Biden. He calls me and I call him.

"I expect justice in this process. I couldn't imagine something like this from those who are championing justice," Erdogan added without elaborating, in an apparent jibe at Washington.

The last phone conversation between the two leaders took place on February 20 after which the White House released a statement accusing Erdogan of misrepresenting the content of the conversation.



A staunch advocate of the Palestinian cause, Erdogan has recently been at loggerheads with Washington over Israel's offensive in the besieged Gaza Strip that has killed more than 580 Palestinians in two weeks.

Erdogan accused the Jewish state of carrying out "state terrorism" and a "genocide" of Palestinians and criticised the United States for defending Israel's "disproportionate" tactics.

The US State Department branded his comments on Israel "offensive and wrong" but the prime minister hit back by saying the United States needed to engage in "self-criticism".

Erdogan is standing in August 10 presidential elections that he is expected to win, with analysts awaiting a more assertive foreign policy from Ankara if he becomes head of state.

US tracked missile that brought down Malaysian Airlines Flight 17

The United States detected the launch of the “specific missile” that brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 last week, a senior administration official told reporters on Tuesday.

U.S. intelligence followed “this specific missile” as it was fired from “a geographic area” controlled by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, said the official, who requested anonymity. It followed the near-vertical flight path characteristic of an SA-11 surface-to-air missile launch.

“We did pick up a launch. We were able to have the ability to track this specific launch,” the official said. It was not clear whether the official was referring to real-time monitoring, or whether U.S. intelligence had gone back through surveillance data after learning of the attack.

The official spoke as the United States ramped up efforts to convince skeptics that Moscow-backed rebels armed and trained by Russia shot down the passenger jet, killing all 298 people aboard. Russia has disputed the largely circumstantial American case and rejected responsibility.

“We don’t know who, like, pulled the trigger,” the official said. “We don’t know that a Russian was operating the system. However, that in no way precludes Russian involvement in the sense that they are the most likely source for this system.”

“We assign responsibility generally to Russia for how the separatists are armed and trained,” the official said. “What we have is a kind of picture of evidence that says the Russians have been providing these arms, these types of systems, and the Russians have been providing training — and that adds up to a picture that implicates Russia,” but “we’re going to be careful about saying who did it if we don’t know for certain.”

“We don’t know who literally was operating the system that day,” the official said. “That’s the hardest thing to determine.”

Tsarnaev friend convicted of obstructing Boston bombings probe

Boston (CNN) -- A federal jury on Monday found a friend of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev guilty of obstructing the investigation into the 2013 attack.

The jury found Azamat Tazhayakov guilty of obstructing justice and conspiring to obstruct justice, in connection with the removal of a backpack with potential evidence from Tsarnaev's dorm room after the bombings.

Jurors indicated in a verdict questionnaire that they didn't believe a separate allegation -- involving the removal of a laptop computer from the same dorm room -- amounted to obstruction or conspiracy.

But his attorneys said they'll appeal the verdict, maintaining that a different defendant was the one who removed the backpack and put it into a garbage bin, and that the jury was under pressure by a community upset by the bombings to find Tazhayakov guilty.

"He never took a backpack out of the dormitory. ... We will certainly push that the evidence, and my client's intent did not match up with the actions of the case," Tazhayakov attorney Mathew Myers told reporters Monday.

Sentencing for Tazhayakov, who could get up to 25 years in prison, is scheduled for October. The verdict came in the first trial related to the April 15, 2013, bombings that killed three people and injured more than 200 others.

Tazhayakov's mother wept loudly in court when the verdict was read. Tazhayakov spoke briefly to his parents before he was escorted out of the courtroom.

Prosecutors accused Tazhayakov and his roommate, fellow Kazakh national Dias Kadyrbayev, of trying to protect Tsarnaev three days after the bombings by removing a backpack and a laptop from Tsarnaev's dorm room at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, which Tazhayakov also attended.

Prosecutors alleged that Kadyrbayev and Tazhayakov took the laptop to their apartment, and that Kadyrbayev, with Tazhayakov's knowledge, tossed the backpack in a trash bin. Authorities eventually found the backpack -- containing Vaseline, a thumb drive and fireworks -- in a landfill.

Kadyrbayev is awaiting trial on the same charges and has pleaded not guilty. Another friend, Robel Phillipos, pleaded not guilty to making false statements. None of Tsarnaev's friends is accused in the bomb plot itself.

Prosecutors: Friends knew suspects' identities before public

Prosecutors told jurors Tazhayakov knew the identity of the suspected bombers -- Tsarnaev and his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev -- before the public found out, allegedly texting Kadyrbayev, "i think they got his brother," hours before the public knew their names or their relationship to one another.

The friends recognized the Tsarnaev brothers after authorities released video and still photos asking for the public's helping finding the two men, prosecutors said.

Kadyrbayev told his friends that he believed Dzhokhar Tsarnaev "used the Vaseline 'to make bombs,' or words to that effect," an indictment against him reads.

The government said Tsarnaev texted Kadyrbayev after the bombings and told him he could go to his dorm room and take what he wanted. Kadyrbayev showed that text to Tazhayakov, the government alleged.

Authorities alleged that the friends picked up the backpack and the laptop from Tsarnaev's dorm room on April 18, 2013, shortly before Tsarnaev was taken into custody.

The FBI interviewed the friends as part of the bombing investigation, and lawyers for Tazhayakov said he did everything he could to help the probe when he spoke with investigators. Based on that information, authorities found Tsarnaev's backpack in the landfill, his attorneys said.

Juror: Friends were 'getting rid of evidence'      

Daniel Antonino, one of the jurors in Tazhayakov's case, said the panel found him guilty of obstruction because "the backpack was simply taken and discarded like they were getting rid of evidence."

"They just threw it in the trash, so that's obstructing justice. Just taking it from the dorm room, we felt, was obstructing justice," Antonino said.

Antonino said the jury didn't feel the same way about the laptop, because "they didn't destroy it," and because jurors felt the friends saw the laptop as something they should take for its potential monetary value. Antonino cited Tsarnaev's alleged text to Kadyrbayev, inviting him to take what he wanted.

Myers, Tazhayakov's attorney, said his client was being unfairly punished for what Kadyrbayev is alleged to have done. The only thing Tazhayakov took from Tsarnaev's room, Myers said, was a pair of headphones that rightfully belonged to him.

"I understand we've spoken about pronouns in this case: 'They did this, they did that.' (But) my client did not leave that dorm room with a backpack," Myers said. "He can only control what people do to a certain extent. ... 'They' did not do anything.

"Dias Kadyrbayev went and took that backpack to a Dumpster. My client wasn't part of that. How a jury claims that my client had intent to do that with Dias, I guess, is a misconstruing of the plain evidence."

Myers said his team also would object to the court's verdict questionnaire, which asked for both charges whether Tazhayakov should be found guilty because of the backpack, the laptop or both.

Myers said the jurors might have thought that saying no to the laptop was significant -- perhaps thinking they were giving Tazhayakov a break -- when in fact it did no such thing.

"We knew that could be misleading to the jury," Myers said.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev awaits trial, having pleaded not guilty to 30 federal charges tied to the bombing and the subsequent pursuit of him and his brother, Tamerlan.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev died in a shootout with police days after the bombing.

Boston bombing suspect's lawyers: We want trial moved away, to Washington

Prosecutors: Tsarnaevs used Christmas lights to make bomb fuses

Louis van Gaal unhappy with club's pre-season tour mileage

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has questioned the club’s wisdom of planning a pre-season tour that will see his players travel huge distances across north America.

However, the Dutchman has been delighted by the application of his squad as they prepare for the new Premier League season.

The Reds open their tour in the early hours of Thursday morning when they face Los Angeles Galaxy at the Pasadena Rose Bowl in California.

Van Gaal can break transfer record

And should they reach the final of the International Champions Cup, they will have journeyed around 13,500 miles during a two-and-a-half-week period.

After the game in LA, United travel to Denver, Washington DC and Detroit and should they top their group - which also contains Roma, Real Madrid and Inter Milan - they will then make a three-hour flight to Miami.

In between these matches, the players have to appear at sponsors' events while they are also duty-bound to conduct various press interviews.

Van Gaal admits: “We have to prepare for the season and when you have a lot of commercial activities also for the players, and you have to travel distances, you have to fly a lot, you have also jet lag, and that is not very positive for a good preparation.

Van Gaal: With Shaw and Herrera at press conference

"But the tour was already arranged (before I became manager) so I have to adapt and I shall adapt."

Regarding the United players, van Gaal is happy with how they have responded since he joined up with the tour party: "I have to say that it has been fantastic.

"The players are anxious to follow the instructions of my assistants. The focus I have seen in the training sessions, it is top level but we have to see if the performance in games is top level.

"But I am very happy with the labour that my players do in the days I have been with them."

Transfer News: Real Madrid sign James Rodriguez from Monaco in £63million deal

Real Madrid have signed Colombian star James Rodriguez from Monaco in a £63million deal.

The 23-year-old successfully passed a medical in Madrid this morning before agreeing a six-year deal and is scheduled to be unveiled in the Spanish capital this evening.

Rodriguez will join up with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema to provide a formidable attacking threat for the Champions League winners.

Rodriguez was one of the stars of the World Cup, scoring six goals for his country on his way to winning the tournament’s Golden Boot award.

The attacking midfielder scored the goal of the tournament at the World Cup with a stunning volley against Uruguay in the last 16.

He makes the move to the Spanish capital after spending one season at Monaco, whom he joined from FC Porto for £35million last summer.

Rodriguez scored nine goals and registered 12 assists for Monaco last season as they finished second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain.

"The club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties."

Monaco club statement

A Real statement read: "The player will be presented today, Tuesday 22 July, at 20:00 CET (7pm), in the Santiago Bernabéu's presidential box.

"Following that, James Rodríguez will take his first steps on the Santiago Bernabéu's pitch wearing the Real Madrid jersey and will then answer questions from the media outlets in attendance in the press room."

A statement on Monaco’s official website read: "The club would like to take the opportunity to thank James for the role he played in getting the club back to the Champions League and wishes him the very best for the future.

"The club had no intention to sell the player, however the time came when the solution of a transfer was considered to be the most beneficial solution for all parties.

"Monaco is proud to be a party to one of the most significant transfers in football history.

"Monaco is a club that will continue to grow and remains focused on the future. More than ever it has the ambition to strengthen the team and continue to progress for next season."

Rodriguez began his professional career with Colombian side Envigado before moving down to Argentinian club Banfield aged 17.

His performances for the Buenos Aires outfit attracted the attention of Porto, who signed him for £4million in 2010, and three years later he joined Monaco for £38.5million after helping the Portuguese side win a hat-trick of league titles and the 2011 Europa League.

Football Association snubs FIFA events while Sepp Blatter remains president

The English Football Association will aim to host only UEFA events until Sepp Blatter steps down as FIFA president, says Greg Dyke.

FA chairman Dyke was speaking to the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) select committee on Tuesday morning on a variety of topics, including the corruption enquiry of the World Cup bidding process, the 2018 and 2022 hosts Russia and Qatar respectively and the forthcoming presidential elections at FIFA.

Blatter, who has led football's international governing body since 1998, recently said he will ask its 209 member countries for their backing to seek a fifth term as president despite insisting three years ago his current term would be his last.  

The Switzerland-born Blatter will be 79 when the election is held next May and some of Europe's football administrators have already aired their views, including UEFA president Michel Platini who stated FIFA needed a "breath of fresh air".

Dyke said: "We've already taken the decision that we will not bid for FIFA tournaments - our decision is we will concentrate in the years ahead on bidding for UEFA tournaments.

"I don't think we should walk out of FIFA because within a week everyone has forgotten you.

"We've already taken the decision that we will not bid for FIFA tournaments - our decision is we will concentrate in the years ahead on bidding for UEFA tournaments."

Greg Dyke

"I don't think that sort of gesture-politics would help. I think trying to reform through UEFA and from the inside is the better way forward.

"A lot of the European football associations have made it clear they didn’t support him. I'm afraid that from the rest of the world there is overwhelming support. If he runs again he will win."

Asked if he would vote against Blatter, Dyke added: "It's not my decision. As an organisation we haven’t discussed it yet but it's unlikely I will vote for him. There is a large movement in Europe against him.

"We think there's a limited amount of time people should sit on the FIFA executive. We voted in favour of that but most voted against it. It's that sort of reform that is needed to make sure we get proper turnover. Hopefully a new president coming in would take a look at the whole structure."

The current focus of the CMS committee is the World Cup bidding process in 2010 which saw Russia win the right to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar four years later. 

Since the completion of that process, there have been allegations of bribery and corruption, with Blatter accusing the British media of "discrimination and racism" and creating a plot to "destroy" his organisation.

FIFA-appointed investigator Michael Garcia is compiling a report into the alleged corruption, a claim that the Qatar bid deny. The report, delayed until September, will be delivered to ethics judge Joachim Eckert who will use the investigation file to decide on possible sanctions against nine bidders which competed to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. 

Dyke rejected accusations that the FA was involved in a push for a new 2022 host, stating: "We are not part of a conspiracy. I can't see it's necessarily to our benefit. If you're going to be involved in a conspiracy you would normally think there's something for your benefit.

"There's no benefit for England. We never said Qatar should be stripped of the World Cup. If Mr Garcia's report demonstrates there was corruption then clearly the whole process should be looked at again. 

"What you’ve seen within FIFA as a reaction to the Sunday Times article (who published a story alleging corruption in June) is a very defensive response with Blatter saying FIFA is under attack. I don't see it that way. What we are saying is 'can you assure us that all this information is available to Mr Garcia'."

The Qatar bid has also attracted criticism over the prospect of the World Cup being played in temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius. 

Dyke added: "There is no chance it will be held in the summer of 2022 - the discussion is when else it will be held. If you've been to Qatar in the summer you can hardly walk in the streets. The health and safety people say it wasn't safe and it certainly wouldn't be safe.

"Air-conditioned stadiums are one thing but fans moving around on the streets, in and out of stadiums - it will be too dangerous to have it there in the summer."

With Russia hosting the next World Cup in 2018, Dyke also expressed his concern about the current conflict in Ukraine but insisted there should not be any knee-jerk reactions. 

He said: "I don’t think you can make a decision based on one week’s events, but I do think the technical report needs to be a very important part of the decision and that includes the political stability."

Transfer news: Filippo Inzaghi calm over Mario Balotelli's future at AC Milan

Filippo Inzaghi has admitted that a replacement would need to be signed if Mario Balotelli leaves AC Milan, but he expects the striker to stay.

Balotelli’s future has been the subject of intense speculation all summer, with reports suggesting that he could be set to return to the Premier League following an eventful two-and-a-half-year spell with Manchester City earlier in his career.

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However, Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has denied receiving any bid from Arsenal and head coach Inzaghi is staying relaxed about the situation.

He wants the 23-year-old to regard this season as a fresh start and find his best form, although he accepts that it is up to the club to decide on what happens.

"I am calm, Mario is an important player and I will try to help him improve," Inzaghi said at a press conference. 

"I will reset everything that has been said about him, I have no problem with him. I have to make the most of his ability.

"Will he leave? The club will decide. If he leaves then we will need a replacement because the centre-forwards are him and (Giampaolo) Pazzini. However, I believe that he will remain here."

Inzaghi joined Galliani and club president Silvio Berlusconi for a meeting on Sunday about the club’s transfer plans.

He said: "The club knows my priorities. We are missing something to get to the level of Juve, Roma and Napoli."