While the world wonders whether or not Qatar's bid to host the 2022 World Cup was gained through bribing FIFA officials currently facing corruption charges, the rich Gulf nation has been nominated to be president of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.
So maybe Qatar is innocent after all? Apparently, the IAACA isn't too concerned.
In response to the nomination, Dr. Ali Bin Fetais Al Marri, the public prosecutor and executive committee member who chaired the committee that made the nomination in Doha, told reporters that the decision demonstrates the trust that IAACA's 146 member states have in Qatar as an important leader in anti-corruption issues, according to the Qatar News Agency .
Marri also stressed the genuine support for anti-corruption issues by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Qatar's ruler. Further emphasizing Qatar's willingness to cooperate with the international community, Marri said that Qatar was always ready to work with the United Nations and other countries to fight corruption.
Although Marri's words sound nice, earlier this month U.S. law enforcement officials said that the state’s 2022 World Cup bid would be included in the FBI’s ongoing investigation into FIFA corruption along with Russia's bid for 2018. Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah boldly responded saying there is “no way” Doha will lose its right to host the 2022 World Cup.
The IAACA was created in 2003 during a United Nations conference in Mexico where the U.N. Convention against Corruption was signed. Qatar joined later in 2008. If Qatar is elected to the presidency, the headquarters of the IAACA will move from its current location in Beijing to Doha.