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Report throws more fuel on Qatar 2022 World Cup doubtfire

Sepp Blatter has been banned from all soccer related activities for eight years.
11th November, 2014
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The 2022 Football World Cup is taking place in Qatar if you ask FIFA. They remain steadfast in their stance that it will happen there.

But there has been another reprisal of doubt over the event, with FIFA President Sepp Blatter reportedly saying to members of the Norwegian Football Association that “the 2022 World Cup won’t take place in Qatar.”

If he did say that, as reported, it completely contradicts FIFA’s official stance revealed in a statement.

This is according to German paper Der Speigel, but it is yet another report about the event, which has been constantly plagued with doubters since Qatar was announced as the host nation in 2010.

To read the original report, go here. It’s worth doing so.

FIFA has come out on the front foot to deny the report, categorically restating that “The claims made by the sources are unfounded. The 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar.”

They also addressed the report in the paper directly, and the nature of the reporting.

“With regard to the story in Der Spiegel, FIFA wants to reiterate that the information provided by the sources‎ does not reflect what actually happened at the dinner in question, which was held during the FIFA president’s visit to Oslo in October.

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“Among the subjects discussed that evening were in fact the Handshake for Peace project — a joint initiative between the Norwegian FA, the Nobel Peace Center and FIFA — and the impending UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying match between Norway and Bulgaria, at which the FIFA President was present that evening as a guest of honour at the invitation of the Norwegian FA.

“The topic of Qatar and the 2022 World Cup were talked about very briefly. Dates were discussed as there are presently discussions taking place to determine when will be the best time to stage the tournament in that calendar year and the Emir, who had visited FIFA President Blatter only a few days earlier in Zurich, was mentioned.”

Whoever you choose to believe, it throws yet more fuel on the fire for the Qatar World Cup.

There have been myriad issues in relation to the event thrown up, including timing, climate, social policy and working conditions of people involved in getting the venues ready.

Reports of underhanded payments haven’t helped.

It follows on from Blatter saying earlier this year that awarding the Cup to Qatar was a “mistake”, as well as the widespread public backlash.

Australia had also tendered a bid for the 2022 Cup, and would likely consider themselves a hope of hosting the event if it was stripped from Qatar.

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