The storm over the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar isn’t over yet. After the controversies over alleged briberies paid to obtain international support for the Arab state candidacy, it is now time for the Uefa President, Michel Platini, to speak.
“I have no regrets at all” about the choice of Qatar for hosting the World Cup, said Platini during an interview with L’Equipe. “I think it was the right choice for Fifa and world football but if corruption is proven, there will have to be a new vote and new sanctions.”
These words are a direct reply to the report published by the Sunday Times. According to the British newspaper in fact, Mohamed bin Hammam, then FIFA member for Qatar, would have paid bribes amounting to several dollar millions to favour the candidacy of the Emirate.
Platini was hit by attacks from the press lately for an alleged private meeting he had with Mohammed bin Hammam on the eve of the vote. “For a breakfast with a colleague I am now entangled in this, with a totally fake reconstruction of the events,” continued Platini in the interview, “I am not corrupt and I do not know who’s behind this story.”
The Uefa President also said he’s convinced everything was created on purpose, to discredit him and his work. “I think there are lots of interests at stake…I seem to be the person who is upsetting lots of people…And it is getting a bit much,” added Platini.
