Qatar says the "serious and baseless allegations" that two FIFA officials were paid to vote for its successful 2022 World Cup bid are based on evidence that is "wholly unreliable."

Issa Hayatou of Cameroon and Jacques Anouma of the Ivory Coast were allegedly paid $1.5 million to vote for Qatar, according to evidence submitted yesterday to a British Parliamentary inquiry by a British newspaper.

The Qatar football federation later issued a statement saying the allegations "will remain unproven because they are false."

The statement adds "we have nothing to hide and are prepared to support and cooperate with any further investigations."

Qatar beat bids from the United States, Australia, Japan and South Korea in December's vote.