Michel Platini: Open to Re-Vote if Corruption in Qatar 2022 Bid Is Proven
As the cloud of controversy continues to hover over the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar, Michel Platini, then-president of UEFA and influential figure in world football, did not rule out the possibility of a new vote — if corruption allegations were confirmed.
🗣️ Platini on TF1: “We Need Transparency”
In an interview on TF1’s 8 p.m. news, Platini stated clearly:
“We have always said that at the slightest suspicion of corruption, there would be a new vote. But for now, we don’t know.”
Platini emphasized that he personally cast a transparent vote and rejected accusations that he was influenced, particularly in light of reports suggesting meetings with Mohamed Bin Hammam, the key figure in Qatar’s bid and former AFC president.
“For Qatar 2022, I was not influenced; the vote, as far as I’m concerned, was completely transparent.”
🕵️♂️ Background: A Vote Shrouded in Doubt
Qatar and Russia were awarded the 2022 and 2018 World Cups respectively in December 2010.
Since then, FIFA’s bidding process has been plagued by accusations of vote-buying and collusion.
An internal investigation was conducted and its report submitted to FIFA’s Ethics Committee in September.
However, the report’s contents were not made public, drawing sharp criticism for lack of transparency.
👥 Pressure Mounts on FIFA
Platini wasn’t alone. High-profile figures including:
Ali Bin Al Hussein (FIFA Vice President),
Franz Beckenbauer (Germany football legend), and
others in the FIFA Executive Committee
called for the publication of the full investigation to restore credibility.
🏆 What’s at Stake?
The debate around Qatar 2022 encompasses multiple issues:
Human rights concerns and treatment of migrant workers,
Climate-related scheduling (winter World Cup),
And now, integrity of the bidding process.
If corruption is ultimately proven, a re-vote would be unprecedented in World Cup history.
While the tournament has since been confirmed and played in Qatar, this moment captures the height of the global governance crisis in football, where even legends like Platini had to defend their roles and credibility amidst growing calls for reform in the sport’s highest body.
