Football World Cup 2022: Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter says awarding tournament to Qatar was 'mistake'

Sepp Blatter was FIFA president in 2010 when Russia and Qatar were awarded the World Cup. Now Blatter has claimed that awarding the tournament to Qatar was a 'mistake', according to Swiss daily paper Tages-Anzeiger.

How has this year's World Cup preparation gone?

Concerns about the plight of low-wage migrant workers hired to build infrastructure in the tiny Gulf nation and discriminatory laws that criminalize same-sex relationships have plagued the build-up to this year's World Cup.

86-year-old Blatter was FIFA's President in 2010 when its executive committee contentiously voted to hold the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Blatter claims he did not vote for Qatar but instead wanted to make a "peace gesture" by organizing the two competitions in Russia and the United States.

What has the World Cup ambassador said?

The Qatar World Cup ambassador has stated that homosexuality is "mental damage" and that LGBTQ+ people who attend the tournament must "accept our rules."

German broadcaster ZDF interviewed former Qatar international player Khalid Salman for a documentary that will air on Tuesday. They must follow our rules here, "Salman stated. Homosexuality is forbidden.

FAQ

Who is Sepp Blatter?
Sepp Blatter is a former Swiss football executive who served as FIFA's eighth President from 1998 to 2015.

Why was Blatter banned?
He has been barred from participating in FIFA activities since 2015, following the public disclosure of the FIFA corruption case that year, and will remain barred until 2027.