FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke on Monday defended the world body’s “political” decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 event to Qatar.
“It’s a political decision to open up onto the world. It was the same thing with (2010) hosts South Africa,” said Valcke.
“We have eight years until Russia hosts it with a huge commitment on the part of (Prime Minister Vladimir) Putin and 12 for Qatar, who have huge resources,” said Valcke in response to questions as to the technical merits of the two countries, which FIFA did not find to be on the same level as, for example, those of 2018 candidate England.
England’s bid campaigners have expressed astonishment at being eliminated in the first round in Zurich last week with just two of 22 FIFA executive committee votes.
If the poor English performance and Russia’s elevation to host city for 2018 surprised some, there was also astonishment in many quarters at Qatar’s selection for 2022 given that the tiny country is predominantly desert and will be boiling hot in June and July.
Valcke admitted that “as regards the heat in Qatar, the fears are legitimate but there will be air conditioning systems. Qatar will do everything necessary so that nothing is to the detriment of either the players or anyone else.
“Russia deserves it and Qatar will be an interesting story. The Middle East is part of the football family,” indicated Valcke.
Regarding allegations of corruption at the heart of FIFA Valcke said the game’s governing body had “reacted immediately” to the Sunday Times revelations by suspending two members of its executive committee amid allegations of bribery.
Valcke stressed that the BBC investigation – which was broadcast just days before the vote – into another three committee members was “reheated stuff which belongs on the history channel.
“Legally, the matter is closed,” he said, alluding to a previous Swiss legal investigation a decade ago.
Regarding English complaints that the voting system aids collusion and secrecy Valcke insisted: “It is normal for there to be a secret ballot. If there is to be a reform of the voting system then it will be for the executive committee to decide.”
He added that FIFA “has nothing to blush about.”
Turning to the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014, Valcke noted that the new Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff was fully behind the project after succeeding Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
He did, however, admit to concerns on progress on stadium construction.
“But a stadium is a matter of 24 months. You have to push – and we are used to that from (our experience with) South Africa.”
bill baxter
Guest
Eddie who???????
The Special One
Guest
The more bidders the more these people get lavished upon. Check out USA ex-co member Chuck Blazer. http://chuckblazer.blogspot.com/ Not that he is accepting money or anything but meeting Vladimir Putin must make him feel pretty cool.
rich1612
Guest
DCFC, I totally agree, in the future FIFA should select the countries they are interested in for the hosting and ask them to submit a bid. It is such a waste of time for the other bidders and a waste of money! How is it that FIFA, IAAF and the IOC are such corrupt organisations. We really need to get Wikileakes on to these organisations, now that would be interesting reading!!!!
Art Sapphire
Guest
By 2022, Andyroo, Brisbane would have won the World Club Championship 3 years running. I'm surprised you forgot to mention that :)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I will be outraged if Brisbane have to release any players or stop playing over the xmas break...hopefully Germany, Holland and Brazil don't qualify so as to minimise disruption to Roarcelona.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Qatar 2022 - My prediction is that the tournament will in the end be held in January. This is the one concession that FIFA will have to make in regards to the World Cup ever being hosted in the Middle East due to climatic factors. The World Cup is not just stadiums, fan zones and training grounds. The World Cup is also about experiencing the host country and this will be better achieved, in my opinion, by hosting the tournament in January.
Qatar 2022
Guest
i was replying to Fussball , not you art saphire your probably right about january but they are determined to stage in june and prove to the world it can be done without the fuss that fussball is turning this into to.
Art Sapphire
Guest
I'm not an angry one Qatar 2022. Unlike fussball, I am a funny one :) I'm sure Qatari's have a sense of humour. I don't have a problem with Qatar hosting the World Cup. Good luck to the Qataris. Anyway, I am pretty sure everyone in the world except for the few big clubs in Europe would prefer the tournament was staged in January. It will save Qatar billions of dollars and also make the tournament much more enjoyable for all concerned. Fair go, please! ;)
Qatar 2022
Guest
calm down, what outrageous claims gee your an angry one people in the middle east live in these conditions everyday, they dont complain, did you know there are approximately 3000 aussie expats living in Qatar Qatar has promised to deliver on its carbon neutral air conditioned stadiums, training areas, fan zones isnt that enough for you? fair go please? ps. sth africa was considered a dangerous place for the world cup too, its road safety record is very bad, 10,000 people die every year on roads, and english tourists died from a bus accident during the world cup, what about the australian fans being held up at gunpoint? again, fair go to qatar and the middle east
Big Dave
Guest
hey Fussbal! i told you australia's bid ticked more negative boxes than the right ones. you were talking up australias chance more than the bid team, im only sorry australia didnt win because it would have upgraded and polished off our afl stadiums, it was clear and transperant that the bid had more legacy for afl than soccer. so much for dancing in the street and given and early christmas present, now you can whinge and cry for the next 12 years. be graceful in defeat after australias loss its clear most aussies do not care we lost listen to eddie macguire http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/lets-stop-whingeing-and-learn-how-to-win/story-e6frfhqf-1225965747938
Art Sapphire
Guest
Fussball... haven't you heard. They will be playing the 2022 World Cup in January. 11 years and 1 month to go and counting. I suppose they could have told us that as well but that would spoil the surprise ;)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
So, why not tell us that 2 years ago and save us a lot of time, energy, money and heartache? It is simply outrageous to have a World Cup in Qatar in summer and, if people die or are seriously injured as a result of the oppressive heat, FIFA may be open to charges of corporate negligence or even coproate manslaughter. I have no doubt there will be fatalities and/or serious health damage to fans, officials and/or players if Qatar host the World Cup in the middle of summer. In in hot weather conditions (mid 40C is very hot!), every medical authority will advise: a) avoid becoming dehydrated and b) avoid vigorous physical activities. It's not just the players. Fans will have to walk to the stadia, queue up at security check-points, etc. Workers will be standing in the blistering heat assisting the supporters, facilitating entry to the stadium, helping with traffic flow, etc. By contrast, from what I understand, the weather in January when the 2011 Asian Cup will be played will be clear blue skies every day, 22C during the day and 13C at night - a footballer and football fan's paradise!
Derby County FC
Guest
“It’s a political decision to open up onto the world. It was the same thing with (2010) hosts South Africa,” said Valcke. So why allow countries like the USA to waste millions on bidding if they were never going to get it?
Qatar 2022
Guest
thankyou Jerome! maybe people around the world will start to understand. choosing qatar was never about having the best bid, with the most bling bling or best tourism spots. if thats what its about then we cant compete with australia and america. it was all about creating history, conquering the last frontier, giving a troubled region a chance to shine, putting them on the map. maybe qatar wasnt the best option for the middle east, but it was the only option that was available and as much as you disagree with me it is a very impressive one. there was no more time to wait, the time was now for the middle east, had australia won it would have been 2036 atleast for the next time the middle east had a chance. 92 years we have been waiting!