A report by the Council of Europe has called on FIFA to revote on the “radically flawed” decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Damaging revelations concerning the bidding process mean that “FIFA cannot evade the obligation to hold a new vote,” according to the draft resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
British Labour Party Member of Parliament Michael Connarty, who prepared the draft resolution, slammed a “farce” and “a clear whitewash” by world football’s governing body.
Connarty said he had consulted documents obtained by The Times newspaper, proving that Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam, who was president of the Asian Football Confederation, paid important sums of money to win the backing of African federations in the vote for the 2022 World Cup, which also included an unsuccessful bid from Australia.
The report regretted that FIFA’s Ethics Committee enquiry which uncovered “extremely dubious practices,” was not entirely published, and were “amazed at the ease with which the adjudicatory chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee confirmed the decision to assign the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.”
“The claim that Qatar does not have direct responsibility for Mr bin Hammam’s dealings should not be allowed to validate a procedure so fundamentally undermined by illegality,” the report said.
“FIFA does not yet seem capable of putting an end to corruption scandals.”
The report also called on Qatar, who have been severely criticised for the conditions of foreign workers to take “all necessary measures to secure respect for the fundamental rights of all foreign migrant workers employed in this country.”
The text of the resolution will be submitted to the Council of Europe’s plenary session in April which brings together more than 300 Parliamentarians from 47 member states.
A resolution from the Council of Europe, which is an advisory international organisation, is not binding but would increase political pressure on FIFA.
Since the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in 2010, both the country and FIFA have been dogged by controversy.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, however, insisted last month “it would really need an earthquake,” to go back on the decision.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's not an argument. Hosting the event means just that, irrespective of whether the national side is capable of make it through or not.
Towser
Guest
They have loads of penguins,does that help? Maybe an Emperor penguin can replace him on the throne,can't be any dodgier.
Uncle Junior
Guest
That shouldn't matter. South Africa never made it out of their Group in 2010. In the 2008 Euros, neither Switzerland nor Austria who co-hosted the tournament made it out of the Groups. And in 2012, neither Poland nor Ukraine who co-hosted the tournament made it out of the Groups. I'm not a fan of Qatar hosting the World Cup in June, but I want the World Cup hosting to be shared around the world not just confined to strong football countries.
Paul
Guest
Qatar couldn't even get out of its Asian Cup group. How do they expect to compete in a World Cup group that, even if the draw is rigged, will still contain up to two battle-hardened European nations and either an African, North American or South American nation more than capable of inflicting maximum humiliation upon it?
The Bear
Guest
By 2026 Antartica may have some playable surfaces!
britesparke
Roar Rookie
Here we have yet another indictment of the FIFA bidding process...and yes, Teflon Sepp to which nothing sticks, steadfastly refuses to accept any criticism let alone budge from his throne propped up by the vast amounts of cash generated from this "bidding process"! And why would he budge...he stands to gain millions more from whichever "cashed up" country can afford the next bid. Maybe the next bid can be from the Antarctic..its cold there so heat will not be an issue. But do they have money, oil, property and anything else of value?