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Qatar cleared of World Cup corruption charges by FIFA while England 'violated bidding rules'
POSTED 13 Nov 2014 . BY Tom Anstey
Qatar contentiously won the 2010 bid to host the 2022 World Cup Credit: Shutterstock.com
Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup after FIFA cleared the country of corruption charges in relation to the bidding process, but lambasted the conduct of the bid from England 2018.

The 42-page document – an investigation into bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – was based on an 18-month inquiry conducted by attorney Michael Garcia.

The vote, which took place in 2010, saw Russia awarded the 2018 World Cup ahead of England and joint bids by Holland/Belgium and Spain/Portugal, while Qatar won the 2022 bid, overcoming the US, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

The report states that “any rule breaches by the bidding countries were “of very limited scope”, and that the effects of these occurrences on the bidding process as a whole were “far from reaching any threshold that would require returning to the bidding process, let alone reopening it.”

Qatari national and former FIFA executive Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life by the body because of alleged bribery and corruption within the organisation. The report clears Qatar of any involvement with Bin Hammam, stating he was “distant” from the bid committee and that any payments made to Jack Warner and certain African officials were connected with his challenge for the Fifa presidency in 2011.

England was castigated by FIFA for its attempts to entice disgraced former FIFA-vice president Jack Warner, thus “violating bidding rules”. Fifa said the bid team “often accommodated Mr Warner’s wishes, in apparent violation of bidding rules and the FIFA code of ethics” – with examples including paying the bill for a £35,000 (€28,000, £22,200) gala dinner for Caribbean officials and providing “substantial assistance” for a training camp for the under-20 Trinidad and Tobago team in 2009, among other things.

Russia and Australia were also criticised in the report, with the Russians failing to provide copies of all emails from the bid organisation on the basis that its computer equipment has since been replaced, while Australia also made efforts to entice Warner and the Oceania head Reynald Temarii, including providing money for development projects.

A statement included in the report said: “FIFA welcomes the fact that a degree of closure has been reached. As such, FIFA looks forward to continuing the preparations for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, which are already well underway.

“FIFA acknowledges the recommendations mentioned in the statement with regard to improving the bidding process for future FIFA World Cups, but also notes the comments of the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber regarding the bidding process for the 2018/2022 World Cups as ‘well-thought, robust and professional’.”

UK Conservative MP Damian Collins, who in 2011 used parliamentary privilege to make the allegations that bribes helped secure Qatar the tournament, called the report a “whitewash”, stating it was an attempt to con people that there has been a full and independent investigation when there has not been.”

“This is FIFA investigating itself and not surprisingly returning a verdict of not guilty,” he said in a statement. “The points being made about the England bid are just a smokescreen to try to hide these facts.”
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NEWS
Qatar cleared of World Cup corruption charges by FIFA while England 'violated bidding rules'
POSTED 13 Nov 2014 . BY Tom Anstey
Qatar contentiously won the 2010 bid to host the 2022 World Cup Credit: Shutterstock.com
Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup after FIFA cleared the country of corruption charges in relation to the bidding process, but lambasted the conduct of the bid from England 2018.

The 42-page document – an investigation into bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – was based on an 18-month inquiry conducted by attorney Michael Garcia.

The vote, which took place in 2010, saw Russia awarded the 2018 World Cup ahead of England and joint bids by Holland/Belgium and Spain/Portugal, while Qatar won the 2022 bid, overcoming the US, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

The report states that “any rule breaches by the bidding countries were “of very limited scope”, and that the effects of these occurrences on the bidding process as a whole were “far from reaching any threshold that would require returning to the bidding process, let alone reopening it.”

Qatari national and former FIFA executive Mohamed Bin Hammam was banned for life by the body because of alleged bribery and corruption within the organisation. The report clears Qatar of any involvement with Bin Hammam, stating he was “distant” from the bid committee and that any payments made to Jack Warner and certain African officials were connected with his challenge for the Fifa presidency in 2011.

England was castigated by FIFA for its attempts to entice disgraced former FIFA-vice president Jack Warner, thus “violating bidding rules”. Fifa said the bid team “often accommodated Mr Warner’s wishes, in apparent violation of bidding rules and the FIFA code of ethics” – with examples including paying the bill for a £35,000 (€28,000, £22,200) gala dinner for Caribbean officials and providing “substantial assistance” for a training camp for the under-20 Trinidad and Tobago team in 2009, among other things.

Russia and Australia were also criticised in the report, with the Russians failing to provide copies of all emails from the bid organisation on the basis that its computer equipment has since been replaced, while Australia also made efforts to entice Warner and the Oceania head Reynald Temarii, including providing money for development projects.

A statement included in the report said: “FIFA welcomes the fact that a degree of closure has been reached. As such, FIFA looks forward to continuing the preparations for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, which are already well underway.

“FIFA acknowledges the recommendations mentioned in the statement with regard to improving the bidding process for future FIFA World Cups, but also notes the comments of the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber regarding the bidding process for the 2018/2022 World Cups as ‘well-thought, robust and professional’.”

UK Conservative MP Damian Collins, who in 2011 used parliamentary privilege to make the allegations that bribes helped secure Qatar the tournament, called the report a “whitewash”, stating it was an attempt to con people that there has been a full and independent investigation when there has not been.”

“This is FIFA investigating itself and not surprisingly returning a verdict of not guilty,” he said in a statement. “The points being made about the England bid are just a smokescreen to try to hide these facts.”
RELATED STORIES
Qatar reveals designs for World Cup 2022 stadium


Designs have been revealed for the 60,000-capacity Al Bayt stadium in Al Khor district, Qatar.
FIFA World Cup 2022 will not be held in the Summer says Valcke


FIFA’s general secretary Jerome Valcke, has said that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will be moved from the traditional summer date (June-July) over fears that the temperature would have an adverse effect on both fans and players.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Founded in 1993, Taylor Made Designs supply corporate clothing and brand-enhancing merchandise to [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS