adminTHE fate of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar should become clearer this week when Fifa’s ethics committee finally reveals details of its investigation into corruption allegations around the award of the tournament.The committee’s head judge is expected to issue a statement on the long-awaited report submitted by its chief investigator into the controversial bidding process for the next two World Cups.
Hans Joachim-Eckert, the German judge who chairs the committee’s adjudicatory chamber, confirmed last month that his statement would include “an overview of the investigation report, a summary of the main findings, conclusions and recommendations, as well as a brief evaluation of the same”.
Having ruled out full disclosure of the report by Michael J Garcia for legal reasons, Eckert could nevertheless reveal whether the American has unearthed enough evidence of wrongdoing to put Russia and Qatar’s hosting of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at risk.
He could also name individuals who face charges over their conduct during the bidding process four years ago, with several members of Fifa’s Executive Committee in 2010 among those in the firing line.
Action could be taken against other countries which bid for the two tournaments, including England, amid allegations of vote-buying and collusion.
However, Eckert has said he may need “more detailed information” before any cases can proceed, meaning Garcia reopening an investigation that has already cost millions.
That would compound the developing tension between the two men, which has been laid bare in recent weeks after Garcia called for his report to be published almost in full and for Fifa to abandon its culture of secrecy. All the bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups have denied any wrongdoing, as have the Fifa executives who voted at the time. — The Telegraph
Online Reporter