Mike Naylor reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

There was controversy following recent newspaper reports which revealed that the English Football Association were paying part of the salary of Thai national coach Peter Withe.

The former Aston Villa and England striker became a national hero by guiding the Thai team to the semi-finals of the recent Asian Games in Bangkok.

It was suggested that the FA decision was an attempt to influence Thailand to favour when the decision is made as to which country should host the 2006 finals.

Peter Withe: Won over the Thai fans

But Football Association of Thailand secretary general Worawi Makudi said: "I can confirm that the English Football Association have never requested any commitment for such assistance.

"We have to adopt a wait-and-see approach over how the situation develops in England."

The English FA say their decision was part of a programme to help develop the game in different parts of the world.

A spokesman for the England 2006 campaign said: "The Thais are not linking it to what way they will vote and that's what we have been trying to say for some days.

"If there is some goodwill towards England as a result of this, then fine, but the two are not connected at all. It's no surprise to us that the Thai FA have not decided which way they will vote because the vote is 16 months away."