Reuters
–
Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA when Qatar got World Cup 2022 “Qatar was a mistake,” he told Swiss newspaper Tages Anzeiger in 2010, adding that “the selection was bad.”
The Qatar The decision has been marred by controversy, including allegations of corruption and human rights abuses, since it was first announced.
Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, was also implicated in corruption charges during his tenure. A Swiss court acquitted him in June of fraud. The plaintiffs appealed the ruling.
“It is a very small country. Qatar, the first country in the Middle East to host the tournament,” Blatter said of Qatar.
He said FIFA in 2012 revised the criteria it used to select host countries in light of concerns about working conditions on construction sites linked to tournaments in Qatar.
“Since then, social and human rights considerations have been taken into account,” he said.
Blatter said he would watch the tournament, which begins in less than two weeks, from his home in Zurich.
“Coffee ninja. Web fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast. Professional creator.”