French and German presidents applied political pressure prior to the 2018
and 2022 World Cup votes, according to Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
He alleges ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his German
counterpart Christian Wulff sought to influence voting before Qatar and
Russia were chosen as respective hosts in 2010.
Blatter, 79, said: "That is the reason why we now have a World Cup in
Qatar."
The voting process is now under investigation by the Swiss prosecutors.
He added: "Those who decided this should also take the responsibility."
Blatter announced on 2 June he would step down from the presidency at
world football's governing body at an extraordinary congress to be held
between December and March.
His decision followed an investigation into alleged corruption at Fifa
which has seen 18 people indicted in the United States. Blatter said he has
"nothing to fear" on a personal level.
Speaking to Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Blatter said: "Before
the World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar, there were two
political interventions. Messrs Sarkozy and Wulff tried to influence their
vote-makers.
Blatter also claimed that the German football association (DFB) "also
received such a recommendation that Germany should vote for Qatar due
to economic interests."
He added: "Just look at all the German companies. The Deutsche Bahn
(German railways) Hochtief (construction) and many more already had
projects in Qatar before the World Cup was awarded there.
"I act on the leadership principle. If a majority of the executive committee
wants a World Cup in Qatar then I have to accept that."
Former DFB president Theo Zwanziger had previously written that Wulff
had asked about Qatar's chances but he denied it had had any influence.
Blatter has also confirmed that he does not intend to stand for a sixth term
in office at Fifa.
and 2022 World Cup votes, according to Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
He alleges ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy and his German
counterpart Christian Wulff sought to influence voting before Qatar and
Russia were chosen as respective hosts in 2010.
Blatter, 79, said: "That is the reason why we now have a World Cup in
Qatar."
The voting process is now under investigation by the Swiss prosecutors.
He added: "Those who decided this should also take the responsibility."
Blatter announced on 2 June he would step down from the presidency at
world football's governing body at an extraordinary congress to be held
between December and March.
His decision followed an investigation into alleged corruption at Fifa
which has seen 18 people indicted in the United States. Blatter said he has
"nothing to fear" on a personal level.
Speaking to Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Blatter said: "Before
the World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar, there were two
political interventions. Messrs Sarkozy and Wulff tried to influence their
vote-makers.
Blatter also claimed that the German football association (DFB) "also
received such a recommendation that Germany should vote for Qatar due
to economic interests."
He added: "Just look at all the German companies. The Deutsche Bahn
(German railways) Hochtief (construction) and many more already had
projects in Qatar before the World Cup was awarded there.
"I act on the leadership principle. If a majority of the executive committee
wants a World Cup in Qatar then I have to accept that."
Former DFB president Theo Zwanziger had previously written that Wulff
had asked about Qatar's chances but he denied it had had any influence.
Blatter has also confirmed that he does not intend to stand for a sixth term
in office at Fifa.
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