Former Fifa executives took bribes in return for voting for Russia and Qatar to host the World Cup, according to US prosecutors.

In what could be a highly significant twist in the FBI’s long-running investigation into allegations of football corruption, a new indictment was revealed in the US District Court on Monday.

The documents claim several former Fifa executive committee members “were offered or received bribes in connection with their votes”.

The Department of Justice makes allegations against Nicolas Leoz, the former president of South American governing body Conmebol, and ex-Brazil federation supremo Ricardo Teixeira.

Both are accused of taking money “in exchange for their votes in favour of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup”.

Disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner of Trinidad and Tobago was also allegedly paid £4m through a host of offshore shell companies to back Russia’s 2018 bid.