The Qatar Football Association has strongly refuted corruption claims surrounding the winning bid for the 2022 World Cup and welcomed an investigation into the matter.
The QFA issued a statement on behalf of the 2022 Bid Committee in which they answered the allegations of corruption by the bid team made in a memorandum put together by two reporters at The Sunday Times newspaper.
Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup in a vote by the FIFA Executive Board in Zurich in early December beating off rivals Australia, the United States, South Korea and Japan.
The memorandum was passed to the culture, media and sport select committee of the British House of Commons earlier this month.
However, the QFA while welcoming an investigation of the bid – but by a recognised body – dismissed all allegations made within the memorandum stating that they were false.
Firstly they say that the claims of bribes being made is not backed up by eye witness accounts.
“The memorandum does not contain or refer to any first hand evidence of any bribes being paid or any impropriety on the part of the bid committee,” read the statement.
“All the allegations are hearsay and supposition. In addition, the allegations are wholly unsupported by any documentary material whatsoever.”
The QFA state that the seriousness of the bribe allegations are not supported by the evidence provided in the memorandum.
“These individuals make serious allegations against the bid committee but fail to give any substantiation of the allegations,” read the statement.
“For example, they do not state when the alleged bribes were to be paid, how the negotiations with the individuals concerned had been conducted or crucially how they came to know of the alleged bribes.
“On any proper view, their evidence is worthless.”
The QFA also ridiculed the view expressed in the memorandum that the individuals – including apparently an unnamed whistleblower from within the bid – were not acting out of self interest in making the allegations.
“The memorandum states that in the view of the reporters the individuals ‘had no reason to fabricate these allegations’” said the QFA.
“We do not agree for the reasons set out in this statement.”
The QFA also insisted that far from it being the Sunday Times reporters who alerted FIFA to the allegations of corrupt practices, it was the bid committee itself.
“The memorandum states that the reporters provided the material they have to FIFA. In fact, the bid committee reported the allegations made by The Sunday Times to FIFA itself and encouraged them to investigate.
“FIFA did so and their conclusion was completely to exonerate the bid committee.”
The bid committee claimed it was willing to be put under the microscope in an open investigation but not one that is carried out without their version of events being taken into account.
“The bid committee welcomes a thorough investigation into the allegations made against it.
“However, such an investigation must surely only be carried out by a properly constituted body with due authority and independence where our side of the story can be heard.
“It is wholly inappropriate for any examination of the bid committee’s affairs to be based on unsubstantiated hearsay and inaccurate journalism.”
Bondy
Guest
I devote my life to this sport , i dont understand why they Qatar have a right to host the World Cup where in which the temperature will be 50 degrees ( i've watched our youth team play out there in that temperature) 49 degrees and blowing a gale , drink breaks at 25 minute intervals, do they have a right to host ?. If we are in a supposed non compliant T.V. time zone why are we accepted as a perspective host ?. If that be the case shouldn't they just tell us no you can't host, im not going to stop enjoying the sport, i dont give a sh** about taxpayers money, i know im paying for some kids to not work and sit on their ar** and smoke dope or whatever they do now. Nothing will come of this its hot air, if Football Globally is to change it's now done to hopefully 10-16 Federations withdrawing from International Football. With a list of demands there are so many i can't name them all. I thought to myself this evening - two of the three most powerful men in World Football come from Qatar - Bin Hammam where any form of sport is only played recreationally there if at all , and have only started to get into Football. And Jack Warner Executive of the Trinidad @ Tobago Football Association ( probably a Cricket man ) and a F.I.F.A. Vice President it makes 'Get Smart' seem rational.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I call it the way I see it, not sure what people are on about.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
This is getting serious - FIFA probe into Hammam: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/25/3227127.htm If it wasn't obvious before, it's all pretty clear now what Blatter's true objectives have been the whole way through.
jamesb
Guest
Bondy and Punter looooooooooove the game! I think my comments are fair and balanced. just trying to put the pieces to the puzzle as far as the world cup bid's concerned. I suppose when you look at the comments made by the cattery, he's just trying to defend his AFL mate, Ben Buckley
punter
Guest
Yes especially the one they call Pippinu (The Cattery).
Bondy
Guest
Interesting i haven't read this story yet but most who have commented don't really watch or enjoy football . Again.
jamesb
Guest
well if the FFA have just renewed his contract, then Buckleys biggest challenge would be the tv rights deal. if he does well with the tv deal, that's he's legacy. I don't think he would stick around for too long after that. He'd probably be burned out. After Buckley goes, I hope the FFA get someone from America in MLS, as i explained in my earlier post.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Could add an even worse no. 4 - renewing BB's contract after everything that had come to pass. Personally, I feel a bit sorry for BB because I am sure he is a very able sports adminstrator. He quite possible took over at the peak of the cycle that was about to turn regardless of what he did (recall it didn't start to trend downwards for another couple of years; and Lowy probably makes all the important decisions anyway. Here's a photo of the fan's forum from tonight, courtesy of Rob Scriva via Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rovingrob/5754359949
jamesb
Guest
I remember the years of '04,'05 and '06. In that period the FFA was formed which was headed by Frank Lowy and John O'Neill. The start of the A-League and the socceroos qualifying for the world cup for the first time in 32 years. And a credible world cup. Then Buckley took over in late '06, early '07. Since then the game has slowly noisedived. Has John O'Neills departure been a big one? I think so! IMO Buckleys not up to the job. As a fan/viewer, he doesn't give you confidence or he lacks postive body language when interviewed. Lowy has done some good things in the early years. However IMO he has made 3 major mistakes: 1. Lowy hasn't gone through the key recommendations from the crawford report. If he did the game would be in a better state. 2. World Cup Bid. If lowy knew there was no chance that Australia would get it, or if he knew there was a sniff of corruption, Lowy and the FFA should;ve pulled out of the bid. 3. Hiring Ben Buckley.
Whites
Guest
That's cleared up that then. They always seemed like a trustworthy bunch. Time to just focus on what looks to be a funtastic Qatar 2022. I can't wait to travel the country from stadium to stadium. See all the wonderful and varied host cities.
jamesb
Guest
true 'bout lowy, but if Mersiades had (alleged) a fair idea whats happening, then buckley wouldn't be far behind. Anyway at the end of the day, both lowy and buckley should move on. ATM we have coaches (Han berger, Holger Osiek) from europe, maybe its time the FFA install a couple of Admins from the MLS america. At least those admins are experienced in dealing with a sport thats not established in a crowded sports market (NBA, NFL,MIB,NHL) similar to Australia
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Speaking of BB, there's a fans' forum underway right now, and word is that he's sweating a bit. Fozz currently giving it to BB: Surprised the owners haven't revolted yet. They've lost a collective $250 million (sic). Why has it taken 4 years to come up with a Services Unit to support the clubs. Someone else: Why is the FFA bailing out clubs? Why NQF not worthy? BB: Others were in capital cities, the pie is only so big.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, but there is knowing and then there is knowing. Lowy would understand things intimately, to the nth degree. He would tell Buckley as much as he needed to know to do whatever he asked of him. Lowy has always run the show.
jamesb
Guest
if lowy knew, buckley knew and vice versa.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I reckon Buckley wouldn't have known too much. But I'm pretty sure Lowy would have known everything.
jamesb
Guest
maybe mersiades knew something about Mr Hargitay, with which (alleged) Hargitay wanted Mersiades gone from the FFA If thats the case, then the FFA had a fair idea what sort of person Hargitay was. And also if Hargitay knows Blatter well and FIFA, then you would assume that Hargitay knows that FIFA is corrupt. (alleged) Wonder if the FFA figured it all out? If they did, you would assume the FFA would've pulled out of the bid. They didn't. Were the FFA blind, stupid or naive? take a pick. forget about a revote, how 'bout a reform!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
It's a good question, and we have our answer. I believe Jenning's version of events (in that interview), and no one from either side has disputed it.
jamesb
Guest
i always wondered whatever happened to Bonita Mersiades. Why did she leave the FFA? It's a question that needs to be asked. Shes a very capable person, rated very highly. I'm surprised the NRL, AFL ARU, Cricket or any other sport haven't approached her yet, or shes not in any position. She WAS a bright light of the FFA On her recent twitter she remarks by saying "Key point on #Lateline was for Mark Arbib: get in touch with Sports Ministers around world to intercede in FIFA and fix as per IOC" Shes spot on.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Pretty good viewing. Les Murray has been sticking up for Hartigay the whole way through - you'd have to question his judgement in all of this.
jamesb
Guest
interesting interview from lateline last night with Andrew Jennings wonder what Ben Buckley and Les Murray think of it http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3224860.htm