Qatar denied on Monday any wrong-doing in its bid to stage the 2022 World Cup, after a leaked email from Fifa's general secretary made the claim that it had "bought" hosting rights for the tournament.

"Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrong-doing in connection with their winning bid," a statement released by a bid spokesman said.

"We are urgently seeking clarification from Fifa about the statement from their general secretary. In the meantime we are taking legal advice to consider our options," the statement said.

Earlier, Fifa plunged deeper into crisis when Jerome Valcke, the general secretary, confirmed he had sent a private email to a fellow executive committee member saying Qatar bought the rights to stage the 2022 World Cup.

Valcke, the right-hand man of president Sepp Blatter, told reporters an email made public by vice-president Jack Warner was genuine.

According to Warner, who is under provisional suspension from all soccer activity, the email referred to Mohamed bin Hammam, who was at that time a candidate to stand against Blatter in the presidential election.

'For MBH, I never understood why he was running,' Warner quoted the email from Valcke as saying. 'If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB (Blatter). Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC (World Cup).'

Bin Hammam withdrew from the presidential race before the ethics committee suspended him and Warner on Sunday.

The committee decided both men had cases to answer over allegations that the Qatari paid bribes to Caribbean officials to vote for him in Wednesday's election instead of Blatter.

Valcke told reporters in Zurich on Monday he did send the email but that Warner had only published selected parts of it. 'It was a private email and we will discuss it,' Valcke said ahead of the Fifa congress which starts on Tuesday. 'He sent me an email asking if I want that (Bin Hammam to run). He said that I should ask Bin Hammam to pull out.' - Reuters