ZURICH (Sputnik) – The World Cup football championships for 2018 and 2022 in Russia and Qatar called into question over possible corruption in receiving the host bids probably would not be under discussion, if two different countries would have been chosen in December 2010, FIFA President Joseph Blatter said Friday.
During a speech at the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, Blatter said:
“They call into question 2018 and 2022. If there were two other countries in the envelopes [in 2010], we wouldn't have these problems.”
Joseph Blatter said he was willing to accept responsibility for “everything” as the head of the international soccer organization in the wake of the recent corruption scandal.
“I am willing to accept that the President of FIFA is responsible for everything. I would like to share that responsibility with you, or with at the very least with the executive committee here. It’s our government.”
On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives with racketeering and money laundering. The suspects allegedly received some $150 million in bribes.
The same day, seven high-ranking FIFA officials were arrested in a raid in Zurich. They may now face extradition to the United States.
FIFA launched its own investigation into the corruption allegations, and concluded in 2014 that no serious breaches have been found in the bidding process, adding that it would keep Russia and Qatar as hosts.
Friday's election of FIFA's next president, where incumbent four-term leader Blatter is challenged only by FIFA Vice President for Asia Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan, is marred by a corruption scandal for the first time in FIFA's 111-year history.
Blatter himself is currently not involved in the scandal.
