Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter told media over the weekend that both the former German and French presidents had lobbied on behalf of Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid.
"[Former French President] Messrs Sarkozy and [former German President Christian] Wulff tried to influence their voting representatives. That’s why we now have a World Cup in Qatar. Those who decided it should take responsibility for it. … I act on the leadership principal. If a majority of the executive committee wants a World Cup in Qatar then I have to accept that,” Blatter told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag according to Doha News.
Blatter further suggested that the reasoning behind Germany and France's support of Qatar's World Cup bid was based on economic interests.
Previously, Blatter was a strong supporter of Qatar's bid, accusing critics of racism and discrimination and insisting that the bid was clean. However, Blatter has softened his support after being forced to resign as many members of the FIFA executive committee face criminal charges both in the United States and Switzerland. Blatter himself is under investigation and decided to avoid the Women's World Cup final in Canada, likely out of fear that he could be arrested and extradited to the United States.
“Until everything is clarified I won’t take any travel risks,” Blatter said.
Ever since the 2010 decisions were announced to award Qatar and Russia the World Cup in 2022 and 2018 respectively, accusations of corruption had dogged FIFA surrounding the bids. However, it wasn't until May that arrests and criminal charges were brought against members of FIFA. Blatter stepped down just after being reelected in light of the ongoing controversy.