Qatar’s World Cup chief has defended the Gulf state’s right to host the 2022 tournament.
Responding to allegations of corruption levelled at the Qatar World Cup bidding team, Hassan al Thawadi told BBC Sport, “The Qatar bid did not do anything wrong.”
The oil-rich state will be the first Middle Eastern country to host a major sporting event.
“Why is everyone focusing on Qatar?” questioned Al Thawadi. “The attack on 2022 fits the prejudice people have in their minds. An Arab nation could not have won.”
Asked whether Qatar bribed Fifa members to win the bid, Al Thawadi replied, “Plain and simply, no.”
He added, “We never broke any rules,” in response to a question over whether the Gulf state had paid money to secure the 2022 tournament.
Al Thawadi described calls for a possible review of the decision as an ‘absolute outrage’, adding that the evidence should be investigated, instead of believing rumours.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2011.
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