Qatar denies wrong-doing over 2022 bid
Reuters - Monday 30 May 2011, 13:37
ZURICH - Qatar denied on Monday any
wrongdoing in its bid to stage the 2022 World Cup after a
leaked email from FIFA's general secretary claimed it had
"bought" hosting rights.
"Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrongdoing in connection
with their winning bid," a statement released by a bid spokesman
said.
"We are urgently seeking clarification from FIFA about the
statement from their general secretary. In the meantime we are
taking legal advice to consider our options."
Jerome Valcke, general secretary of world football's governing
body, confirmed he had sent an email to vice-president Jack
Warner in which he questioned Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam's
decision to stand against Sepp Blatter in the FIFA presidential
election.
"For MBH, I never understood why he was running," Warner
quoted the email from Valcke as saying. "If really he thought he
had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he
does not like anymore JSB (Blatter).
"Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC (World
Cup)."
Bin Hammam, who is also president of the Asian Football
Confederation (AFC), withdrew from the presidential race before
the ethics committee suspended him and Warner on Sunday on
alleged bribery charges.
Bin Hammam reacted angrily to the latest allegations.
"You would have to ask Jerome Valcke what he was thinking. I
don't know why he has said that," the 62-year-old told the BBC.
"If I was paying money from Qatar you would also have to ask
the 13 people who voted for Qatar."
Asked if the allegation was true he said: "What do you
think?"