As the event nears, the guy who presided over the awarding of the tournament regrets his judgment, resulting in further negative press for the event’s organizers.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter stated that awarding the World Cup to Qatar was an error and a “poor decision.”
He was president in 2010 when Qatar unexpectedly defeated the United States.
Mr. Blatter stated to the Swiss media that the nation was “too little” and that “football and the World Cup are too huge for that.” Qatar is somewhat smaller than Wales.
“It was a poor decision. This was my responsibility as president at the time “explained the 86-year-old man.
He did not, however, identify human rights concerns as a justification for his evaluation.
With the competition less than two weeks away, accusations of Qatar’s treatment of gay people and the injuries and deaths of migrant laborers who built its stadiums are rising.
This week, a tournament ambassador described homosexuality as a “mental disease,” heightening concerns about having the event in a devout Islamic state.
Mr. Blatter told the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia that a meeting between former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and former UEFA president Michel Platini was essential for swaying vital votes.
Mr. Platini was summoned to the presidential palace one week before the December 2010 vote, when he met Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.
Sepp Blatter reiterated his assertion that the former president exerted pressure on Mr. Platini to change his vote.
“Qatar was awarded the World Cup rather than the United States due to the four votes of Mr. Platini and his (UEFA) team. This is the truth “Mr. Blatter said.
Mr. Platini told the AP in 2015, “Sarkozy never asked me to vote for Qatar, but I knew what would be nice,” and he said he “may have indicated” to US officials he would vote for them.
Mr. Blatter and Mr. Platini were exonerated of wrongdoing this summer following the 2015 revelation of a payment of two million Swiss francs (£1.7m) from FIFA to Mr. Platini.
The World Cup begins on November 20, with 32 nations competing in eight venues located in and around Doha, the city.
Approximately 1,2 million international visitors are anticipated, however, limited accommodations will force many to commute from neighboring nations.
The competition was moved to the winter to avoid Qatar’s scorching summer weather.
