Qatar was named the host country for the 2022 World Cup, but many people are hesitant as to the legitimacy of the choice. The Independent reported that a “thorough investigation” has been issued after allegations that bribery and dishonesty were major factors in the selection.
According to The New York Times, five of FIFA’s sponsors have come forward with apprehensions after emails and financial records revealing that Mohamed bin Hammam, a Qatari tycoon, paid over $5 million to have Qatar elected as the succeeding host country.
Sony was the first of FIFA’s corporate partners to dig deeper into the legislative nature of the choice in order to guarantee that fairness was the number one priority.
“As a FIFA partner, we expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately… We continue to expect FIFA to adhere to its principles of integrity ethics and fair play across all aspects of its operations,” said Sony, according to the The Independent.
In addition to the tangible evidence, many soccer experts have valid reasons to question the bid. The New York Times reported that Qatar has not even qualified for The World Cup in previous years, and with temperatures reaching nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit, there is no way the players will be able to safely withstand the heat.
Adidas, Hyundai, Coca-Cola and Visa are the other four partners that have voiced their troubled opinion in concordance with Sony. In fact, FIFA’s president, Sepp Blatter, even said giving Qatar the offer was a mistake, according to The New York Times.
Qatar continues to deny any bribery associated with Mohamed bin Hammam, but the rest of the world remains unconvinced. The investigation has not yet been finalized, but FIFA plans to take the necessary steps to unveil any discrepancy.
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