Blatter Suggests Qatar 2022 Corruption Claims Based on ‘a great deal of discrimination’

FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes corruption claims surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid have been motivated by ‘a great deal of discrimination and racism’.

Qatar was chosen as host in December 2010 but recently reports have been emerging about the legitimacy of the bid and has led to widespread criticism of soccer’s world govening body.

“There is a sort of storm against FIFA relating to the Qatar World Cup,” Blatter said. “Sadly there’s a great deal of discrimination and racism.”

Lawyer Michael Garcia is leading an independent investigation into the bidding process and is due to deliver his report to Fifa in mid-July.

FIFA will rule on the validity of the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in September or October.

At that point, the 78-year-old president of football’s world governing body said the ‘matter will be closed’.

The claims have also resulted in a number of current World Cup sponsors looking for answers.

Qatar overcame competition from Australia, Japan, South Korea and the United States to be named as 2022 hosts.

{jcomments on}