FIFA urged to probe Qatar World Cup bid allegations

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FIFA should investigate allegations that the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid team launched a secret campaign to discredit its bidding rivals, a British Member of Parliament has said.

The allegations came from an anonymous whistleblower, who alleged to the Sunday Times that the Qatar bid team used former CIA agents and a public relations company to sabotage other bidders. The newspaper suggested that Qatar did not have the domestic backing for a World Cup, which is a key FIFA requirement.

FIFA’s rules of conduct for the bidding process state that bidders should not make "any written or oral statements of any kind, whether adverse or otherwise, about the bids or candidatures of any other member association."

The Qatari Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, which oversees the planning and infrastructure of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, said on Sunday that it "rejects each and every allegation put forward by The Sunday Times."

"We have been thoroughly investigated and have been forthcoming with all information related to our bid, including the official investigation led by attorney Michael Garcia," read a statement.

The Qatar bid team has been previously accused of corruption but was cleared following a two-year FIFA inquiry.

Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani shakes hand with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Russia's President Vladimir Putin. /VCG Photo

However, the chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport select committee Damian Collins said an investigation should be carried out by the FIFA.

"If the Qataris have broken the rules, they should face some sanctions," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

Lord Triesman, former chairman of the (British) Football Association, is also calling on FIFA to step in.

"FIFA's obligation is to look at the evidence thoroughly and rapidly and have the courage to take what may be a difficult decision," said Triesman, who chaired England's original bid for the 2018 tournament.

"If Qatar is shown to have broken the FIFA rules, then they can't hold on to the World Cup. I think it would not be wrong for FIFA to reconsider England in those circumstances. We have the capabilities."

(With input from agencies)