The "steady stream of criticism" against the '22 World Cup being held in Qatar "has now exploded into a dramatic threat" to the event after
FIFA officials were arrested on corruption charges and a Swiss criminal investigation was launched into the awarding of the '18 and '22 World Cups, according to Simeon Kerr of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The Qatari government "has not commented on the arrests." In the five years since Qatar was awarded the event, "initial jubilation has mutated into subdued resignation at the rising tide of corruption claims against Doha’s bid." The World Cup was supposed to be "the pinnacle of Qatar’s emerging strategy in the last decade to use its newfound financial muscle to promote the country as a major global player" (
FT.com, 5/28). Meanwhile, Russian officials yesterday said that the arrests "would not derail Russia from hosting" the '18 World Cup. Russia Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said, "I see no threat to Russia or any problems." Russian state television yesterday said that the indictment "may be a United States plot." Mutko "declined to assign a political motive to the United States investigation, calling it 'conjecture'" (
N.Y. TIMES, 5/28). Russia President Vladimir Putin accused the U.S. of "meddling in FIFA's affairs and hinted that it was part of an attempt" to take the '18 World Cup "away from his country" (
AP, 5/28).
IN THEIR OWN WORLD: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Alexis Flynn writes many "found Qatar's win jaw-dropping" when the bid was awarded in '10, and both the Russia and Qatar bids "have been dogged by complaints from human-rights groups." Stripping a host country of the right to hold the tournament "has never happened, but there is a precedent for finding a substitute." The '86 World Cup was "moved after Colombia admitted it was unlikely to be able to complete the required venues in time." As it stands, FIFA insiders have said that just two countries "have the capacity to host the World Cup and all of its traveling fans in a pinch: Germany and the U.S." (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/28). USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes FIFA's "slimy wheelings and dealings" mean the '22 World Cup in Qatar is "destined to go down as the worst ever." Many thought the idea of holding the event in Qatar "had to be a joke" when it was announced. But FIFA yesterday "shot down calls ... for a revote" on the '18 and '22 World Cups, "rejecting the idea quicker than the disgraced officials were escorted out of their five-star hotel." Armour: "As if anyone should have been surprised. FIFA officials believe they are untouchable" (USA TODAY, 5/28). BLOOMBERG NEWS' Leonid Bershidsky wrote under the header, "FIFA's World Cup Award To Qatar Awakened U.S. Giant" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/27). A WASHINGTON POST editorial states soccer is "just a game, but corrupt or dictatorial rulers love to bask in its reflected glory." That is why it "would be misguided even without bribery to celebrate the World Cup" in Russia or in Qatar. Now "would be a good time for FIFA to nullify its award to those two countries and reopen the bidding under independent supervision" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/28).
U.S. READY TO STEP IN? In Houston, Jose de Jesus Ortiz writes under the header, "FIFA Arrests Good For Future Of Soccer In U.S." Another World Cup in the U.S. "would help the most popular sport on the planet further cement its place in the American sports landscape" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 5/28). ESPN's Gabriele Marcotti said if "they can find enough grounds out there to call for a re-vote” on Qatar and Russia, "I think it would be very, very difficult for FIFA to stand in their way” (“OTL,” ESPN, 5/27). Fox Business' Brian Kilmeade said Qatar will not keep the '22 World Cup and it will be staged in the U.S., because “it’s the only place for it to go" ("Varney & Company," Fox Business, 5/27). NBCSN's Roger Bennett said, "I pray that it will be World Cup USA 2022, but we’re a long, long way from that reality" ("CBS This Morning," 5/28). However, the N.Y. Daily News' Frank Isola said since the FBI and Justice Department have led this investigation into FIFA, the U.S. is "probably not going to (be awarded) a World Cup for the next 100 years" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 5/27).
REVISIONIST HISTORY: The GLOBE & MAIL's Geoffrey York writes the South African government until now "has always portrayed the awarding" of the '10 World Cup "as a triumph for hard-working officials and a testament to the charm and persuasiveness" of late President Nelson Mandela. South African soccer officials have "often talked of their 'arduous' toil and 'sacrifices' in pursuing the World Cup." But the U.S. indictment handed down yesterday "paints a very different picture of how South Africa won the right to hold the World Cup" (GLOBE & MAIL, 5/28).
