For Michael Glading, there was a darkly funny side to the corruption allegations engulfing Fifa.

Photographed with Fifa president Sepp Blatter when New Zealand was awarded the Under-20 tournament, the pair's hands were partly hidden from the cameras. Speaking last month, the former NZ Football boss cracked a joke about handing over envelopes stuffed with cash to secure the hosting rights.

Not everyone was amused. One guest at the event, held before dozens of media and football identities, was gobsmacked at the casual way in which the murky undercurrent of football was dismissed.

This week, Fifa executives were arrested on suspicion of corruption, bribery and racketeering – and the inevitable questions began being asked of New Zealand. Glading has been forced to declare New Zealand's bid was free of corruption.

"I was having a laugh," Glading declares now.

"I was poking the fun at myself. It's so hilarious, it's mind-boggling that anyone could think it was serious."

Yesterday, some of the same Fifa delegates who awarded the U-20 tournament to New Zealand re-elected 79-year-old Blatter to a fifth term as their president. It is expected they and Blatter will soon head to New Zealand, where they will again be treated to extravagant hospitality and gifts.

READ MORE: Fifa: NZF won't be punished for opposing Blatter

Business class flights from across the world, $480-a-night suites at SkyCity Grand Hotel, tailored suits, pendants and glass trophies – it's all part of the job for Fifa delegates visiting New Zealand this year.

"Expenses for international travel such as flights, accommodation and uniform of members of the organising committee attending the Official Draw for the Fifa U-20 World Cup New Zealand were funded by Fifa," a spokeswoman for the Under-20 tournament said.

Meanwhile, the 504 players from 24 teams will receive US$100 "pocket money" from Fifa for the three week tournament – less than $5 a day.

In February, at the tournament's draw, Fifa delegates were among 600 guests treated to an extravagant banquet at SkyCity. Stan Walker performed, and New Zealand's top football identities such as Ivan Vicelich and Wynton Rufer helped draw the pools, and the event was broadcast live on SkySports.

A source said gift cards of between $250 and $500 were left for guests in their suites. These could be spent at the casino's bars and restaurants. A SkyCity spokeswoman said they did not provide the giftcards, while Fifa said it was unaware of them.

Fifa delegates were also given matching tailored suits from Barkers, paid for by the Swiss-based governing body.

Among the guests was Jeffrey Webb, the Fifa vice-president, who was arrested for corruption this week in Switzerland.

Webb was a charmer, according to the man he sat beside at the banquet, Cabinet minister Jonathan Coleman. "He was a very engaging guy," said Coleman, the sports and health minister.

"The impression I had got was he was a guy who was a rising star in Fifa. He seemed to be a fresh face in Fifa administration. He was a really personable bloke. He wasn't flashy, he wasn't over the top. I was pretty surprised to see what's happened over the last week."

Webb was given a special glass bowl from the New Zealand organising committee, one of many gifts the top Fifa executives received.

Earlier that day, Coleman met with Webb and Fifa chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak. The purpose of the meeting was to convince Coleman to invest taxpayer funds in Fifa health programmes. Dvorak also chairs Fifa's Medical Assessment and Research Centre, and owns a holiday home in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government had already told Fifa they didn't want to invest in any of the world football governing body's health and injury prevention programmes. But Dvorak and Webb continued to lobby Coleman, who is also the health minister.

"We had already corresponded with them, 'thank you for the offer but we don't have the funds to put into it'. We said thanks but no thanks," said Coleman.

In its annual report last year, Fifa claimed Oceania was "plagued by a number of health challenges with non-communicable diseases reaching epidemic proportions". They claimed the HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases were "a looming threat".

Fifa had also said Oceania, which includes Pacific Islands, has "social issues such as the dangers of alcohol, drug abuse and tobacco".

This week the US Department of Justice charged 14 people, including nine Fifa officials, over alleged bribes totalling almost $215 million paid for television rights, sponsorship deals and World Cup votes.

A US-led investigation has examined racketeering, bribery and money laundering involving high-ranking officials going back at least two decades.

A spokesman for New Zealand's Police National Headquarters said while they were aware of developments overseas, they had no involvement in the US investigation.

"Our focus is on ensuring a safe and secure tournament in New Zealand, and we remain well prepared for a range of contingencies. That approach has not changed."

Blatter, who has faced stinging criticism for overseeing widespread corruption during his 17 year reign, is expected to visit New Zealand in the coming weeks, despite the country's football administrators turning their back on him at the last minute.

It's unclear what reception will be from outside footballing circles. A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said there is no scheduled meeting between the Prime Minister and Blatter.

According to the Government, Fifa invested $8m in the event, paid to the local organising committee to assist in the hosting and delivery of the tournament. The Government has spent $5.5m.