Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has accepted responsibility for the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar, but has not been shy about pointing the finger at Michel Platini and France’s relationship with the crown prince.

It is a pity that the 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar

In statements provided to the Swiss Tages-Anzeiger, the former FIFA president admitted that he regretted allowing the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar, writes Marca.

“This choice was a mistake and I accept the responsibility because I was the president of FIFA at the time. Qatar is a small country, world championships are for big countries,” said Blatter.

The 2022 World Cup was to be held in the USA

“We agreed in the Executive Committee that Russia will host the 2018 World Cup and the United States of America will host the 2022 World Cup. It would be a gesture of peace if two political rivals would host the World Cup in succession,” explained the former FIFA president, who was suspended in 2015 over allegations in corruption.

Other candidates for hosting the World Cup were Japan, Australia and South Korea.

Money, political interests and accusations against Michel Platini

“A week before the 2010 FIFA Congress, Michel Platini called me to say that our plan (to host the World Cup in the USA) was not going to work. He just met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has had several meetings with the Qatari crown prince.

Platini’s voice was decisive for this award. Of course, there was also a financial reason. Six months after these meetings, Qatar purchased French fighter jets at a huge cost,” Sepp Blatter testified shortly before the start of the World Cup.