World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar have denied an implication from Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke that they 'bought' the tournament.
World Cup 2022 hosts respond to implication from Valcke
World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar have denied an implication from Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke that they 'bought' the tournament.
Fifa has been rocked by a succession of bribery allegations and counter-claims in recent weeks with even president Sepp Blatter called before, and subsequently cleared by, an ethics committee meeting last week.
Blatter is due to win a further term in office on Wednesday as his only opponent in the presidential race, Mohammed Bin Hammam, has withdrawn from the contest and subsequently been suspended over allegations of wrong doing.
Bin Hammam and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, who has also been suspended, are facing an investigation into claims they had offered financial incentives to members of the Caribbean Football Union.
Legal advice
Warner has now turned the spotlight onto Valcke, releasing details of an email in which he writes of Bin Hammam "For MBH, I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB [Blatter]. Or he thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the WC."
Valcke has confirmed the validity of the email, but Qatar has now rejected any implication of underhand dealings and demanding an explanation from world football's governing body, who are in danger of being torn apart by in-fighting.
The statement from Qatar read: "Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrong doing in connection with their winning bid.
"We are urgently seeking clarification from Fifa about the statement from their General Secretary.
"In the meantime we are taking legal advice to consider our options."
