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.
“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.
AR
Guest
Ahhh....exactly. Meaning all this talk is just "rumors and innuendo". Am a missing something?
Bondy
Guest
AR What solid decisions have been confirmed or clarified for 2022 , none ...
AR
Guest
"The rumors and innuendo haven’t started yet on this subject... " Huh? What do you call this article and the thousands like it?
H.E. Pennypacker
Guest
The World Cup was never going to Qatar. It is a place smaller than the population of Adelaide with the temperature of the Simpson Desert and their government is a despotic sponsor of IS. 2022 is going to the USA end of discussion.
Bondy
Guest
The rumors and innuendo haven't started yet on this subject ,when they do it will be very interesting all of this has been merely chatter.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@James Work a bit harder & let's make sure more tax dollars are put to good use for football's growth.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Can do :)
George Haida
Roar Rookie
Although i agree Aus can't hold a world cup for other reasons, considering the United States (larger geographical area) and Brazil (only slightly smaller) your logic is a bit invalid
AZ_RBB
Guest
Hey Ben are you able to help us out in the AFC Player of the Year thread ? Thanks.
James
Guest
I was and thank you for wasting my money. do you feel confident that we can get bargain basement deal for the other votes? surely with a 46 million down payment for 1 vote the other votes should be under 30 million each.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Should Qatar be stripped of the right to host the World Cup then we should have nothing to do with the subsequent bidding. Many in the Gulf States would see Australia as being an active participant in removing the Cup from the Gulf and economic and other reprisals, particularly via the AFC, would follow. 2022 is a poisoned chalice.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
And, if we win the hosting rights, it will be money well spent. If both you were taxpayers in FY2009 & FY2010, I sincerely say: "thank you for your contribution to AUS football's growth."
James
Guest
Cheers for the corrected figure. So will we get a bulk discount this time? Surely we could haggle this down to 35 million per vote.
AR
Guest
To be fair James, it was more like $46 Million per vote. ...and at least $4M of that apparently went directly to superconsultant Peter Hargitay...though no-one knows for sure how many payrolls he was on. Nonetheless, it was taxpayers money very well spent.
Kaks
Roar Guru
i had a giggle
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Sorry, I don't understand the question? What $50 million per vote?
James
Guest
will it still be $50 million per vote? or will we get a discount this time?
Chris
Guest
no just no. stop it australia. stop thinking the world cup is coming here. just no. we got 1 vote haha even if it wasnt going to happen in qatar australia should not get the bloody thing. australia is just too damn big geographically to have a world cup. there is too much distance between stadiums for it to be realistic. also had to laugh at sepp allegedly calling anyone arrogant.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Rumour doing the rounds on social media that Sepp Blatter & Fifa ExCo members will be visiting Australia during the AFC Asian Cup & very likely Qatar will be stripped of WC2022 hosting rights. I don't care if we get to host WC2022 but, if we do .. . .. the stench of fear from outside The Game during the next 8 years will be overwhelming!
Kaks
Roar Guru
Let him talk his garbage, AZ, while we think of the new Jersey which will proudly consist of a nice gold star above the emblem :)