An investigation has been ongoing into the decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite their human rights record and all the logistical problems posed by the nation’s laws. The former France footballer was detained at the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police.
France has been investigating the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups that led to Russia and Qatar being awarded the right to hold the tournament in each of the years respectively. They had previously questioned Steph Blatter who is the former FIFA President on the issue.
According to the Associated Press, France’s financial prosecutor services had first opened the investigation on grounds of private corruption, criminal association, influence peddling and benefiting from influence peddling.
They also report that Blatter had accused the 63-year-old of backing out on a gentleman’s agreement they had about awarding the 2022 tournament to the USA. He claimed that Michel Platini’s position had changed after he had a meeting with then-President Nicolas Sarkozy at his official residence in Paris and Qatar’s crown prince, now Emir, Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani.
FIFA has reiterated its full commitment to cooperating with the authorities in France where the investigation is taking place. This is not Michel Platini’s first stint with a corruption charge as Platini was banned by FIFA for financial misconduct in relation to a $2 million payment authorized by Blatter in 2015.
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by 208headlines