FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit, admitted that the choice of Qatar as the host for the 2022 World Cup was influenced by political and economic interests. Blatter stated that European heads of government advised their members to vote for Qatar due to significant economic ties. He acknowledged direct political influences in the decision-making process.
Furthermore, Blatter indirectly acknowledged suspicions of corruption in the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar. He announced the formation of a new independent ethics commission to investigate the matter. Blatter emphasized that they have tasked this commission with examining all aspects of the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar.
The interview also addressed concerns about the timing of the World Cup, with Blatter rejecting the suggestion of holding it in the spring, as proposed by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Rummenigge suggested April as a more suitable period, but Blatter insisted on flexibility and did not entertain the idea of moving the tournament to spring.
