“The Choice Of Qatar Was A Mistake,” Says Sepp Blatter On Hosting Rights

Former FIFA president, Sepp Blatter has admitted that awarding Qatar the hosting right was a mistake.

Naija News recalls that the Gulf Country was awarded the hosting right in December 2010, and it has taken Qatar more than a decade to prepare.

The event which is slated to begin on November 20 to December 18 will welcome diverse people from different races, culture and religion to the region.

Naija News earlier reported that series of controversies has been linked to the event, which includes the timing of the event, gender issues and also, the treatment of the immigrant workers in the country.

The former President has confessed that his office made a costly mistake awarding Qatar the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Ex-president, while speaking to Swiss outlet, Tages-Anzeiger, said. “The choice of Qatar was a mistake.”

“At the time, we actually agreed in the executive committee that Russia should get the 2018 World Cup and the USA that of 2022. It would have been a gesture of peace if the two long-standing political opponents had hosted the World Cup one after the other,” he added.

“It’s too small a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for that.” he stressed.

Blatter, when asked if he felt responsible for the mistake, he said, “For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake. The choice was bad.”

“What I’m wondering: why is the new Fifa president [Gianni Infantino] living in Qatar? He can’t be the head of the local World Cup organisation. That’s not his job. There are two organising committees for this – a local one and one from Fifa.”