World Cup 2022 organisers: ‘Integrity’ was central to Qatar bid

Sport360 staff 04:39 30/05/2015
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  • Defiant: Qatar's organising committee.

    Qatar’s 2022 World Cup organisers insist their controversial bid was conducted “with integrity and to the highest ethical standards” following allegations of widescale corruption within FIFA.

    A statement from Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which oversees the planning of the World Cup in the Gulf state, read: “We wish to reiterate that we have fully complied with every investigation that has been initiated concerning the 2018/2022 bidding process and we will continue to do so, should this be requested.

    “We conducted our bid with integrity and to the highest ethical standards.”

    It added: “Our aim through hosting the World Cup is to utilise the positive power of sport to unify people and demonstrate the passion for football in our region to a global audience.

    “We share FIFA’s vision that football has a unique power to unite. We believe that an event of this magnitude can and should serve as a platform for accelerating positive change and our belief in these principals remains steadfast.”

    It is the first official statement made by Qatar since Swiss investigators announced they are looking into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and the Gulf state.

    FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke confirmed last night the two countries will host the World Cups.

    FIFA has already ruled out a re-vote, insisting the hosts would not change and “welcomed” the investigations, which Valcke confirmed they had instigated.

    He said: “Yes, when you ask me the question today, the 2018 World Cup will be played in Russia, then in Qatar four years later, from all the information we currently have.

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