ORGANISERS OF QATAR’S's successful bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup have offered a strong rebuttal against accusations of corruption.
Reports in the British media on Sunday claimed Mohamed Bin Hammam, former president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), paid up to $5million to football officials to drum up support for Qatar’s bid.
Bin Hammam had previously been a member of FIFA’s executive committee, but was banned for life from all football activity in December 2012 following allegations of bribery.
The latest allegations led to FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce stating that a switch in host should be considered if the claims are proved to be true.
However, the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee has released a statement, strongly denying the claims and stating that Bin Hammam had no role in the bidding process.
“The Qatar 2022 Bid Committee always upheld the highest standard of ethics and integrity in its successul bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” the statement read.
“In regard to the latest allegations from The Sunday Times, we say again that Mohamed Bin Hammam played no official or unofficial role in Qatar’s 2022 Bid Committee. As was the case with every other member of FIFA’s Executive Committee, our bid team had to convince Mr Bin Hammam of the merits of our bid.”
The committee also revealed it was co-operating with an on-going investigation, which is being led by former United States attorney Michael Garcia, who heads the investigatory chamber of FIFA’s ethics committee.
The statement added: “We are co-operating fully with Mr Garcia’s on-going investigation and remain totally confident that any objective enquiry (sic) will conclude we won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup fairly.
“Following today’s newspaper articles, we vehemently deny all allegations of wrong-doing. We will take whatever steps are necessary to defend the integrity of Qatar’s bid and our lawyers are looking into this matter.
“The right to host the tournament was won because it was the best bid and because it is time for the Middle East to host its first FIFA World Cup.”
Sunday’s statement contradicts previous comments from Qatar 2022 bid chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in 2010, which saw him label Bin Hammam as the bid’s “biggest asset”.
The allegations are the latest to blight Qatar’s bid, after accusations that ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner had received $2million from a firm controlled by a former Qatari football official.
Qatar were awarded the World Cup in December 2010, beating off competition from the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia.
That decision has courted much controversy, with concerns raised over the ability of players to perform in the height of the Qatari summer, leading to the likelihood the tournament will be moved to winter months between November and January.
Several FIFA figures, including president Sepp Blatter, have admitted fault in overlooking the climate in Qatar as a potential problem.
Paul – Harry needs wins at this stage, only 2 all season. While a point against a top 3 side is a decent result, draws are not going to suffice for QPR. In fact it’s beginning to look like themselves and Reading could get cut adrift.
I still think it’s a good point Neil, given that Tottenham have the far superior team on paper.
think that could be the last nail in the coffin for villa. what the hell has happened to a once great club? to be fair this has been comin for a couple of seasons now. been in rapid decline since the great man himself legged it. really Cant see how they can turn it around. sad day. sad day
Walters go home you’re drunk.
thats 42 goals conceded and 17 scored for villa. says it all really!! reading southampton winning wigan qpr gettin a point. honestly thought we would have a tough season but today is takin the piss!! hope i am wrong but think it could be all over. no heart or passion in the side. fair play to reading they r willing to have a go. Cant say fairer than that. better to go down fighting than with a whimper. know which one describes villa at the moment. maybe we can qualify for Europe by the fair play league??
I’m inclined to agree with u Cornelius. Sad to see such a decline – so many unfamiliar names in their squad and a manager gripped by paralysis. The 7 ever-present clubs since the PL started in ’92 looks like it will lose a member come May.
Villa are a club I’d hate to see relegated,they’ve had a serious lack of investment for a number of seasons now,it’s one of the most threadbare squads on the Premiership too. I’d worry of they went down it could be a long time before they came back up again,but at least they aren’t heavily in debt like Leeds and Portsmouth were,losing Petrov was a big blow too,no leadership since he had to hang up his boots
*in and *if!