Sepp Blatter has said it was a mistake to award Qatar this year’s World Cup, with the disgraced former FIFA president claiming that members of the governing body’s executive committee had initially decided it should instead go to the United States.
The tiny Gulf state was given hosting rights following a controversial vote in 2010 that led to the demise of Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Now, in an interview with Tages-Anzeiger, Blatter has claimed that it had been agreed to have the US follow Russia as “a gesture of peace” only for Platini to change his mind after coming under pressure from then French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
Platini has previously denied that he was told to vote for Qatar but in 2013 said that he was invited to dine with Sarkozy only for the emir of Qatar to be also present. “I could understand for myself that Sarkozy was interested in Qatar organising the World Cup. But he did not make that request to me,” Platini said.
“The choice of Qatar was a mistake,” Blatter said. “At the time, we actually agreed in the Executive Committee that Russia should get the 2018 World Cup and the USA that of 2022. It would have been a gesture of peace if the two long-standing political opponents had hosted the World Cup one after the other.”
Qatar has been strongly criticised for its human rights record during the 12-year build up to the tournament. An estimated 6,500 migrant workers have died during the building of infrastructure for the tournament, while homosexuality remains illegal.
But when asked why he believes Qatar was a mistake, Blatter had another reason. “It's too small a country,” he said. Football and the World Cup are too big for that.”
Blatter also took aim at FIFA’s current president, Gianni Infantino, by questioning whether it was wise for him to live in Doha. The 86-year-old described his replacement as “disrespectful towards me.”
Infantino has split his time between Doha and Zurich since January but there is no suggestion of a conflict in interest. In a statement, FIFA said: "For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Infantino has residency, and remains liable to pay taxes, in Switzerland."
Blatter added: “For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake. The choice was bad. What I'm wondering: why is the new Fifa president living in Qatar? He can't be the head of the local World Cup organisation. That's not his job. There are two organising committees for this – a local one and one from Fifa.
“The FIFA president should have the ultimate supervision. An example: there is a proposal to set up a fund for the deceased workers and the bereaved. Qatar says no. What should FIFA say if their president is in the same boat as Qatar?”
Blatter, who has overcome a period of ill health and faced a number of court cases since being banned from football in 2015, said that he no longer has contact with Vladimir Putin and “condemns the war instigated by Russia against Ukraine.”
Yet when asked about political figures using football to wash the reputation of their countries, Blatter said: “Many others also use sport for political purposes. I'm not a judge and I don't want to judge that.”
He said that he was “relieved” to have not been found guilty of corruption by Switzerland’s Federal Court in July. He stood trial alongside Platini. “I've always known I'm innocent,” he continued. “I am at peace with myself, with my mind and with my soul.”
A Labour frontbencher declared himself “a massive gay” as he raised fears about the treatment of football fans at the World Cup in Qatar.
Labour MP Luke Pollard told the Commons: “Mr Speaker, I declare an interest as a massive gay.
“As an England supporting homosexual, it is not safe for someone like me to watch the World Cup in Qatar.
“Because of the human rights abuses of migrant workers and Qatar’s LGBT population, I personally don’t think Qatar should ever have been a major sporting competition.”
Foreign Office Minister David Rutley said he “respected” Mr Pollard’s comments, adding: “Our priority is of course the safety of all British nationals who will be travelling to the World Cup.
“LGBT+ rights is an issue the UK prioritises internationally and we continue to engage with the Qatar authorities on this issue.”
He added: “The UK Government stands by our values and our teams stand by the values of our Home Nations.”
