To some it will be a statement of the obvious, to others an admission that should ring alarm bells. Responding to the assertion of the Fifa president, Sepp Blatter, that the Qatar 2022 World Cup was a “political” choice by European voters, the Uefa president, Michel Platini, has confirmed that “political and economic influences” were a factor. The controversial selection of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup in December 2010 has resulted in a bitter row over whether the tournament should be moved to winter to avoid the searing summer heat, a move expected to be agreed in principle by Fifa next month.
Blatter, who voted for the US to host the 2022 tournament but has since become an advocate of moving it to winter, said in an interview this week that there was “definitely direct political influence” on European executive committee members to vote for Qatar.
“European leaders recommended to its voting members to opt for Qatar, because of major economic interests in the country,” he told the German weekly Die Zeit.
Following a meeting of all 54 Uefa member associations in Dubrovnik, at which they confirmed in principle their support for a winter World Cup in 2022, Platini confirmed Blatter’s comments. “With the extraordinary influence Mr Blatter has,” Platini said, “he has only all of a sudden realised there are political and economic influences when we decide who will host an Olympic Games and so forth? It’s better late than never I guess.”
Platini sardonically added: “It’s new, apparently. It was said that Europeans voted for Qatar but Qatar got 14 votes. We’re only eight. If you subtract eight from 14 you get six left over.”
Platini has admitted voting for Qatar and lobbying for the move to winter, but has insisted that a much scrutinised meeting with the then French president Nicolas Sarkozy, the now Emir of Qatar and the Qatar prime minister did not result in pressure being put on him. “I knew Sarkozy wanted the people from Qatar to buy PSG,” Platini told the Guardian in May. “I understood that Sarkozy supported the candidature of Qatar. But he never asked me, or to vote for Russia [for the 2018 World Cup]. He knows my personality. I always vote for what is good for football. Not for myself, not for France.”
Rumours of corruption continue to swirl around the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup and the ethics committee chair, Michael Garcia, is continuing to investigate what became a convoluted and chaotic process that was scarred by allegations of vote swapping and bribery.
As far as the scheduling is concerned, attention is now likely to turn to when the tournament will be held – Fifa would prefer to hold it in December 2022 to avoid the Winter Olympics but Uefa would prefer January and February to avoid a clash with the lucrative Champions League group stages.
“There are only two things I have clearly in mind. The first is that the president of Fifa will talk about 2022 at the next Fifa ExCo meeting,” Platini said. “Apart from that the European national associations have unanimously stated that in principle we aren’t against playing in winter. We haven’t said we agree fully, we’ve said we agree in principle. Now, the ball is in the court of the president of Fifa.”
Platini also confirmed that 32 countries – including England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland – had expressed an interest in hosting matches during the 2020 European Championship. Once Turkey pulled out of the race to host the tournament, Platini conceived a plan to play the matches across 13 different countries. Final bid dossiers are due by April 2014, with a decision a year later. Countries can bid to host either four group stage matches, or the semi-finals and final, or both.
Some believe that the Fifa presidential election, due in 2015, is having a bearing on the negotiations over the 2022 World Cup. Platini, long tipped as a possible successor to Blatter, said he would not reveal his hand until during or after the 2014 World Cup. Blatter, who had said this would be his final term, is increasingly expected to stand again in 2015.
“The members, I know what some would like them have me do. I know what my friends would have me do. I know some journalists would like me to do certain things. I will take the decision when I take the decision,” said Platini.
“I told them I would take my decision during or after the World Cup. This isn’t something that keeps me awake at night. I’m happy with Uefa, I feel very much at home here and I’m seeing how things develop slowly. There’s a lot of time.” • This article has been amended to correct the spelling of Die Zeit
How can this shameless no brainer be the next FIFA head? Oh…. I ve forgotten that he is shameless.
Let me substantiate my allegation.
Firstly, if some journalists asked me (him) why I voted for Qatar, I would simply and politically say: “I was very pleased and convinced by the Qatar bid. I am sure they can fulfil what they have said, including the provision of air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat problem.” However, he instead confessed that he made 2 promises before the bidding finals. One of these two promises made to the Qatar bidding team was he would change the time to winter afterwards.
Secondly, he wanted to regulate the professional soccer with “financial fair play”. However, he has forgotten that this is a commercial professional sport in which free market mechanism is paramount.
Thirdly, when people are against the idea of giving Turkey the holding right of 2020 Euro Championship, he simply make this tournament to happen in 13 countries.
Fourthly is the refutation of technology. He simply used 2 more goal line referees without remembering the limitation of human’s ability.
Lastly is the calling of “transfer” robbery. Leads United bought many good players but almost bankrupted, demoting to first division. Also, Real Madrid spent huge but still could not get the crown of champions league. On the other hand, the mediocre Chelsea did last year. With such a huge expenditure, Real could not win their league title always neither. If money equates winning always then there is a problem. However, that is not always. Why should there be a financial fair play? The market will adjust! Did Cristiano Ronaldo rob? Did he force someone to buy him and pay him with the pointing of a gun?
The only reasonable explanation of the “financial fair play” is the suspicion of money laundering. If so, why not report to the police or the international policy? This is not the job of any sporting association.
This is just the making of UEFA more imperial (empire regulated) not democratic. For decades, there have been entrepreneurs who would not mind spending (or losing) big money to pursuit their favourite sport. Who would invest big if anything else?
After numerous excuses and debates, this fiasco has only two major issues. Firstly, the promises made by the UEFA head and secondly, working conditions of the workers.
The situation now is a mess. Taking away Qatar’s right abruptly will make the situation even worse.
Should there be no cheating before the bid, moving to winter may not anger so many and be as difficult now.
The more reasonable solution is to rebid. It didn’t make sense months ago but, now, it has to be reconsidered. However, bid again for a winter or summer World Cup again?
Bid again for a winter one is not sensible because almost every stakeholder objects now. No matter which candidate (Australia, Korea, Japan, Qatar or USA) is to win the rebid, FIFA faces the same set of unsolvable problems (Olympics, TV broadcasting rights, turmoil of all leagues etc).
Rebidding for a summer world cup was regard as repeating the same mistake months ago. However, as the issue progresses, there are new rationales come into the play. Firstly, one of the main problems is the hidden promise of switching to winter made by the UEFA head before the bid. However, in the new rebid all the ExCo members know the backgrounds and the trustworthiness of the ability of the air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat (including the advertised ‘artificial clouds’ etc). Secondly, some FIFA officials interpret that the bidding contract had the timing opened for FIFA to select/confirm “in principle”. This makes controversy and, luckily, this controversial ambiguity lays the rationale for FIFA to have a rebid on the 2022 World Cup hosting right legally, rationally and, perhaps, emphatically.
Based on the above, FIFA should, for this time, open a rebid with clear and not changeable timing of “hosting in summer of northern hemisphere”.
Rebidding is the best solution to get out of this mess. It is fair to Qatar because they had a secret deal but not this time. If Qatar refuses to join the rebid, then it may mean that they have no confidence in overcoming the heat with their proposed air-conditioning and weather solutions.
Another twist is that Qatar applies for an injunction to stop a rebid. Should this be the case, there are only two folds. Either, they want to keep the hosting right in summer. Or, they want a winter tournament. It will be a big relaxation for the European clubs and leagues if Qatar wants a summer game. On the other hand, probably, Qatar will not opt for an injunction based on the notion of moving to winter because that would mean they have no confidence in overcoming the heat problem again. If they cannot overcome the heat, FIFA can legally take off their hosting right.
If Qatar wins again, then congratulate. No more change again, just wait for the progress of the air-conditioning systems.
As for the poor working condition, it is not unique and unsolvable. Basically, FIFA just have to, in collaboration with the ITUC and other international labour right organizations, force and enforce Qatar companies to provide better facilities and working conditions to the works. It may cost them more, but Qatar is so rich that they surely can afford.
In conclusion, set up a new rebidding process which is strictly no change to winter.
Rebidding for a summer world cup was regard as repeating the same mistake months ago. However, as the issue progresses, there are new rationales come into the play. Firstly, one of the main problems is the hidden promise of switching to winter made by the UEFA head before the bid. However, in the new rebid all the ExCo members know the backgrounds and the trustworthiness of the ability of the air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat (including the advertised ‘artificial clouds’ etc). Secondly, some FIFA officials interpret that the bidding contract had the timing opened for FIFA to select/confirm “in principle”. This makes controversy and, luckily, this controversial ambiguity lays the rationale for FIFA to have a rebid on the 2022 World Cup hosting right legally, rationally and, perhaps, emphatically.
Based on the above, FIFA should, for this time, open a rebid with clear and not changeable timing of “hosting in summer of northern hemisphere”.
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What a bloody mess, i’d stop following football just to spite these bloody crony’s.
How can this shameless no brainer be the next FIFA head? Oh…. I ve forgotten that he is shameless.
Let me substantiate my allegation.
Firstly, if some journalists asked me (him) why I voted for Qatar, I would simply and politically say: “I was very pleased and convinced by the Qatar bid. I am sure they can fulfil what they have said, including the provision of air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat problem.” However, he instead confessed that he made 2 promises before the bidding finals. One of these two promises made to the Qatar bidding team was he would change the time to winter afterwards.
Secondly, he wanted to regulate the professional soccer with “financial fair play”. However, he has forgotten that this is a commercial professional sport in which free market mechanism is paramount.
Thirdly, when people are against the idea of giving Turkey the holding right of 2020 Euro Championship, he simply make this tournament to happen in 13 countries.
Fourthly is the refutation of technology. He simply used 2 more goal line referees without remembering the limitation of human’s ability.
Lastly is the calling of “transfer” robbery. Leads United bought many good players but almost bankrupted, demoting to first division. Also, Real Madrid spent huge but still could not get the crown of champions league. On the other hand, the mediocre Chelsea did last year. With such a huge expenditure, Real could not win their league title always neither. If money equates winning always then there is a problem. However, that is not always. Why should there be a financial fair play? The market will adjust! Did Cristiano Ronaldo rob? Did he force someone to buy him and pay him with the pointing of a gun?
The only reasonable explanation of the “financial fair play” is the suspicion of money laundering. If so, why not report to the police or the international policy? This is not the job of any sporting association.
This is just the making of UEFA more imperial (empire regulated) not democratic. For decades, there have been entrepreneurs who would not mind spending (or losing) big money to pursuit their favourite sport. Who would invest big if anything else?
After numerous excuses and debates, this fiasco has only two major issues. Firstly, the promises made by the UEFA head and secondly, working conditions of the workers.
The situation now is a mess. Taking away Qatar’s right abruptly will make the situation even worse.
Should there be no cheating before the bid, moving to winter may not anger so many and be as difficult now.
The more reasonable solution is to rebid. It didn’t make sense months ago but, now, it has to be reconsidered. However, bid again for a winter or summer World Cup again?
Bid again for a winter one is not sensible because almost every stakeholder objects now. No matter which candidate (Australia, Korea, Japan, Qatar or USA) is to win the rebid, FIFA faces the same set of unsolvable problems (Olympics, TV broadcasting rights, turmoil of all leagues etc).
Rebidding for a summer world cup was regard as repeating the same mistake months ago. However, as the issue progresses, there are new rationales come into the play. Firstly, one of the main problems is the hidden promise of switching to winter made by the UEFA head before the bid. However, in the new rebid all the ExCo members know the backgrounds and the trustworthiness of the ability of the air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat (including the advertised ‘artificial clouds’ etc). Secondly, some FIFA officials interpret that the bidding contract had the timing opened for FIFA to select/confirm “in principle”. This makes controversy and, luckily, this controversial ambiguity lays the rationale for FIFA to have a rebid on the 2022 World Cup hosting right legally, rationally and, perhaps, emphatically.
Based on the above, FIFA should, for this time, open a rebid with clear and not changeable timing of “hosting in summer of northern hemisphere”.
Rebidding is the best solution to get out of this mess. It is fair to Qatar because they had a secret deal but not this time. If Qatar refuses to join the rebid, then it may mean that they have no confidence in overcoming the heat with their proposed air-conditioning and weather solutions.
Another twist is that Qatar applies for an injunction to stop a rebid. Should this be the case, there are only two folds. Either, they want to keep the hosting right in summer. Or, they want a winter tournament. It will be a big relaxation for the European clubs and leagues if Qatar wants a summer game. On the other hand, probably, Qatar will not opt for an injunction based on the notion of moving to winter because that would mean they have no confidence in overcoming the heat problem again. If they cannot overcome the heat, FIFA can legally take off their hosting right.
If Qatar wins again, then congratulate. No more change again, just wait for the progress of the air-conditioning systems.
As for the poor working condition, it is not unique and unsolvable. Basically, FIFA just have to, in collaboration with the ITUC and other international labour right organizations, force and enforce Qatar companies to provide better facilities and working conditions to the works. It may cost them more, but Qatar is so rich that they surely can afford.
In conclusion, set up a new rebidding process which is strictly no change to winter.
Rebidding for a summer world cup was regard as repeating the same mistake months ago. However, as the issue progresses, there are new rationales come into the play. Firstly, one of the main problems is the hidden promise of switching to winter made by the UEFA head before the bid. However, in the new rebid all the ExCo members know the backgrounds and the trustworthiness of the ability of the air-conditioning systems to overcome the heat (including the advertised ‘artificial clouds’ etc). Secondly, some FIFA officials interpret that the bidding contract had the timing opened for FIFA to select/confirm “in principle”. This makes controversy and, luckily, this controversial ambiguity lays the rationale for FIFA to have a rebid on the 2022 World Cup hosting right legally, rationally and, perhaps, emphatically.
Based on the above, FIFA should, for this time, open a rebid with clear and not changeable timing of “hosting in summer of northern hemisphere”.