French authorities are "considering launching a probe" into FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, amid allegations that "senior figures in France may have exerted pressure on football’s world governing body," according to Anne-Sylvaine Chassany of the FINANCIAL TIMES. Eliane Houlette, France’s financial prosecutor, said that "such an inquiry would investigate" the role played by former UEFA President Michel Platini. She "declined to comment on allegations about the role of the government" and former France President Nicolas Sarkozy. She said, "We have some pieces of information that push us to [open an investigation]. If there is an investigation, Michel Platini's role will certainly be an essential part, but the investigation will not center on him." In an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag last year, former FIFA President Sepp Blatter alleged "Sarkozy had exerted pressure on world football’s governing body." A separate French investigation "would come at a bad time" for Sarkozy, who is expected to announce his candidacy for the center-right presidential nomination in the next few weeks (FT, 5/29). REUTERS' Julien Pretot reported the financial prosecutors "can investigate if they have reasons to believe French nationals are involved in a case or if unlawful acts related to it were committed in France" (REUTERS, 5/29).
