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FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted an internal inquiry into claims of corruption may force a re-vote for the 2022 World Cup hosting rights. The startling admission could re-ignite Australia’s host ambitions, and could give the FFA the unlikeliest of lifelines.
The disclosure by Blatter was made as he told the Press Association that while the idea of the 2022 re-vote by the FIFA executive committee was “alarming”, it had received major support and the rumour was “circulating around the world”.
Qatar’s win, despite FIFA’s own Bid Evaluation Report deeming the operational risk of the Cup in the tiny Emirate as “high”, was greeted with shock and scepticism from many quarters of the game and left Australia’s bid team stunned at the lack of support.
Blatter, who is seeking a fourth re-election as president of FIFA, did not allude to likely outcomes of FIFA’s investigation, refusing only to put any limitation on measures that could be taken if the investigation uncovered corruption.
FIFA were forced to investigate claims made by The Sunday Times, after a whistleblower alleged that million dollar-plus bribes were paid to executive committee members involved in the 2022 vote.
A re-vote would represent the biggest U-turn in the history of the governing body and cause huge disruption in world football.
The English Football Association (FA) will next week deliver a report into corruption in the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup, which England saw wrested away by Russia despite perceived strong support.
The FA have also revealed they will abstain from voting in the upcoming FIFA presidential vote between Blatter and Qatari president of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohamed Bin Hammam.
The FA made reference to a “well-reported range of issues” about both candidates.
The Roar previously reported in an April Fools Day joke: Australia to get 2022 World Cup, FIFA descends into chaos.