Secret Fifa documents show that Russia’s successful bid for this summer’s World Cup was rated worst for “threat and risk” out of the nations vying to host the tournament, including England’s, which was found to be safest, The Telegraph can disclose.

A security assessment prepared by a South African police chief found that the Russia 2018 bid was evaluated as having a “moderate to high” risk of terrorism and other major incidents shortly before the decision to award the country football’s biggest event, a poorer classification than all its competitors.

A summary of the findings was given to the Fifa officials who later awarded Russia the World Cup.

In contrast, England’s bid – which only managed to gain one vote despite personal assurances being given to the Prime Minister and Prince William by Fifa executive committee members in the days before the decision - was seen to be the safest, compared to other nations hoping to be given the 2018 tournament.

The disclosure is likely to fuel concerns about security for English fans attending the World Cup this summer and call into question the wisdom of awarding the eastern European country the hosting rights.

Vladimir Putin, right, shakes hands with FIFA President Joseph Blatter after Russia was announced as the host for the 2018 soccer World Cup credit: Kurt Schorrer/AP

More than 30,000 tickets have been bought by England supporters who are now likely to be preparing to travel out to Russia ahead of England’s first match against Tunisia next week, amid concerns that fans may be targeted by hooligans or racists.

The chief executive of England 2018, Andy Anson, on Wednesday night said the documents seen by the Telegraph were “further disturbing evidence that Fifa completely ignored the technical bidding process in every aspect”.

"We clearly had the best technical bid, without a doubt, of the European bidders”, said Mr Anson.

"Sepp Blatter was desperate to get it to Russia for whatever his personal motivation was. It's very frustrating, but not surprising."

Ever since the December 2010 decision to hand Russia and Qatar the next two World Cups, the bidding process been plagued with allegations of corruption and vote-buying.

Little evidence has emerged of improper behaviour by Russia, but relations between the country and the West has become increasingly strained in recent months.

The news about the risk assessment comes as a Telegraph investigation can reveal how –

A senior Fifa official was described as “untrustworthy” and participating in “inappropriate” behaviour by the organisation’s chief investigator.

A former vice-president was said to be “definitely compromised” in the same document.

The World Cup begins in Russia on Thursday against a backdrop of strained relations between President Vladimir Putin and world leaders, including Theresa May.

Since the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, there have been calls for England to boycott the tournament and there are concerns supporters who travel to the country to watch games might be targeted by violent criminal gangs.

MPs have warned that England football fans faced an increased risk of violence during the World Cup because of deteriorating diplomatic relations.

Parliamentarians on the foreign affairs select committee said supporters were considered particularly at risk of attacks by hooligans, racists and homophobes away from the stadiums, which will be guarded by “paramilitary” security forces.

View more!

A South African police officer, Andre Prius, was instructed by Fifa to carry out the assessment less than a month before the vote in December 2010.

Initially, he was instructed to examine countries that were bidding to host the 2022 World Cup, including the US, Australia and Qatar.

A source familiar with the project said Mr Prius was instructed to undertake the tasks because Fifa was concerned that the tiny gulf state was likely to awarded the World Cup. However, later, the investigation was expanded to include countries bidding for the 2018 showpiece.

Documents seen by the Telegraph show that before the decision to award the tournament to Russia, the country’s bid was given a rating of “moderate to high” for “threat and risk”, whereas the other countries seeking to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups were given either a “low” or “moderate” classification.

View more!

Issues raised by the police officer about the bid include "a ‘Moscow-centric’ situation re air transport..[which] does not provide an ideal situation from a security point of view” and a “lack of space in the areas surrounding stadium…[which]…may hamper security operations”.

Documents seen by the Telegraph show the rating Qatar was given for the “impact of a major incident” changed from “moderate” to “high” in different versions. It is unclear why this change was made. This “high” rating was worse than what other bidding nations were given.

Separate documents seen by the Telegraph show the chief investigator at Fifa, Chris Eaton, gave a “star” rating to dozens of Fifa officials to describe whether they had been “compromised” or subject to questions about their behaviour.

In a document later given to the FBI who were investigating the vote in 2010, Mr Eaton gave Hany Abo Rida, who currently sits on Fifa’s Council, two stars, which he said meant “untrustworthy”. “[He has] close relationships and associations of concern”, he wrote. “Indirect evidence of inappropriate behaviour”.

Abou Rida is the only member of the executive committee which voted in 2010 who sits on the current Fifa council.

Many of the others have either been jailed, face criminal prosecution, or died before they could do so.

Hany Abou Rida is the only member of the executive committee which voted in 2010 who sits on the current Fifa council credit: Patrick B. Kraemer/EPA

David Chung, who was one of Fifa’s vice-presidents until April, is also described by Mr Eaton as being someone where there is “evidence of inappropriate behaviour”. A “definitely compromised person”, he wrote. Mr Chung, who was not part of the 2010 vote, was awarded one star in the document.

Mr Chung stepped down from Fifa in April this year citing “personal reasons”, but amid accusations of corruption over a multi million dollar project to build a new headquarters for the Oceania Football Confederation.

It is unclear if football’s world governing body took any steps to examine their concerns about these individuals following the comments by Mr Eaton.

A spokesperson for the Russian bid said the Russian Federation and all of its authorities “consider safety and security as a top priority” and the country had successfully hosted many major events.

They said they were constantly accessing security and had a “comprehensive range of measures to fend off any potential threats”. They added the security report prepared in 2010 was a “snapshot” and they did not agree with its findings. It was “outdated”, they said.

A Fifa spokesperson said the organisation could not “speak on behalf of members of the Executive Committee concerning their individual motivation for a vote which took place 8 years ago”, but that a “a thorough investigation was conducted by Michael Garcia on this matter and his conclusions are available in the report which was made public last year”. They added it was not possible to confirm whether any investigations were currently taking place.

Mr Chung could not be reached for comment.