Schwarzer rues Qatar World Cup
EXASPERATED Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has launched a scathing attack on governing body Fifa over its decision to give Qatar the 2022 World Cup and its refusal to publish a report into the bid process.
Schwarzer, who has 109 international caps, said he had played international matches for Australia in Qatar’s stifling summer heat and that even considering holding it in such conditions was “ridiculous”. He added of talks over moving it to winter: “I don’t even know why there is a debate.”
The former Fulham stopper, 42, also pilloried Sepp Blatter’s organisation for rejecting calls to make public an investigation into allegations – strongly denied – of corruption in the bidding processes for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Why even conduct a report if you don’t make it open? What have to you got to hide?” he told the Leaders Sport Business Summit in London. “At a time when there is so little trust, open it up to the public. It’s such a shame to see it being run like it’s being run.”