Sepp Blatter has conceded that FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was ‘a mistake’.
The game’s governing body has come under continued criticism for their decision to award the hosting rights for the summer competition to the country, with particular focus on the temperatures teams will have to play in, as well as the conditions construction workers in the country are currently enduring.
Considering the matter this week, FIFA’s President has conceded an error was made.
Sepp Blatter has conceded that FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was ‘a mistake’.
The game’s governing body has come under continued criticism for their decision to award the hosting rights for the summer competition to the country, with particular focus on the temperatures teams will have to play in, as well as the conditions construction workers in the country are currently enduring.
Considering the matter this week, FIFA’s President has conceded an error was made.
“Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one makes a lot of mistakes in life,” Blatter has conceded in an interview with RTS.
“The technical report indicated clearly that it was too hot in summer, but despite that the executive committee decided with quite a big majority that the tournament would be in Qatar.
“Were the hosting rights ‘bought’? No, I have never said it was bought, but that it was due to political considerations.
“We know full well that big French and German companies work in Qatar, but they don't just work for the World Cup. The World Cup is only a small part of what is going on in Qatar.”
FIFA soon after released a statement to clarify Blatter’s comments.
“The comment by the FIFA President concerning the organisation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar to Swiss TV station RTS is in line with previous comments on this matter.
“As explained in his answer to the journalist, the President reiterated that the decision to organise the World Cup in summer was a 'error' based on the technical assessment report of the bid, which had highlighted the extremely hot temperatures in summer in Qatar.
“At no stage did he question Qatar as hosts of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”