Blatter says the tournament was handed over to the Gulf state because of the actions of former UEFA president Michel Platini, under pressure from then-French president Nicolas Sarkozy. “For me it is clear: Qatar is a mistake. The choice was bad,” Blatter told Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. “At that time, we agreed in the executive committee that Russia should get the 2018 World Cup and the USA the 2022 World Cup. It would be a gesture of peace if the two long-time political rivals hosted the World Cup back-to-back .” Asked why Qatar was a poor choice, Blatter made no reference to the human rights concerns that have plagued the tournament, but said: “It’s a very small country. Football and the World Cup are too big for that.” Blatter said FIFA’s plans upset Platini, claiming Platini was instrumental in directing four votes from European countries to Qatar, after pressure from Sarkozy. “Thanks to the four votes of Platini and his [Uefa] team, the World Cup went to Qatar and not the United States. It’s the truth,” Blatter said of the 14-8 result. “Platini told me he had been invited to the Elysee Palace, where the then French president Sarkozy had just had lunch with the crown prince of Qatar,” Blatter said. “Sarkozy told Platini: ‘Look what you and your UEFA colleagues can do for Qatar when the World Cup is awarded.’ Then I asked him: “And now?” According to Blatter, Platini’s response was: “Sep, what would you do if your president asked you for something? Then I told him that I was not asked the question because we don’t have a president in Switzerland.” Michel Platini shakes hands with Nicolas Sarkozy (left) in 2010. Photo: Philippe Desmazes/AFP/Getty Images Platini was questioned by French officials in 2019 as part of an investigation into the 2022 bidding process. The former France player acknowledges that the meeting with Sarkozy took place but denies that his votes were influenced. In 2013 he told the Guardian: “I knew Sarkozy wanted people from Qatar to buy PSG. I understand that Sarkozy supported Qatar’s candidacy. But he never asked me to vote for Russia either [for 2018]. He knows my personality. I always vote for what is good for football. Not for myself, not for France.” Sarkozy had previously chosen not to comment on the World Cup allegations. Start your evenings with the Guardian’s view of the world of football Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Blatter, in his first interview since he and Platini were acquitted of fraud in July – although that verdict is being appealed – also criticized his replacement at FIFA, criticizing Gianni Infantino for living in Qatar during organization. Infantino moved from Switzerland to Doha last year and Blatter suggested the move could jeopardize Infantino’s decisions. “What I wonder: why is the new FIFA president staying in Qatar?” Blatter said. “He cannot be the head of the local World Cup organisation. That’s not his job. There are two organizing committees for this – one local and one from FIFA. “The FIFA president should have absolute oversight. Example: there is a proposal to create a fund for dead workers and bereaved. Qatar says no. What should FIFA say if its president is in the same boat as Qatar?” Infantino has made it a priority to increase transparency within FIFA since Blatter’s 40-year tenure at the organization ended with numerous allegations of corruption and the arrest of several FIFA officials by the FBI. Blatter, asked by the Tages-Anzeiger about his opinion of Infantino, said: “He is a person who is not respected.” FIFA has been approached for comment.
