MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Blatter said that he personally was not in favor of voting for Qatar, but had to accept the majority decision in the FIFA Executive Committee.
"Before awarding the World Cup to Russia and Qatar there were two political interventions. Messrs Sarkozy and Wulff tried to influence their electors. That is why we now have a World Cup in Qatar. Those who have decided that, should also take responsibility," Blatter said.
According to Blatter, the German football federation (DFB) received recommendations from the former German President Wulff to vote for Qatar "out of [German] economic interests."
Blatter refused to take any responsibility in relation to the violation of the human rights in Qatar, and instead urged to take a look at the German companies having businesses in Qatar.
"Deutsche Bahn [the German Railways], Hochtief and many more already had projects in Qatar, when the World Cup was not yet awarded," Blatter said.
In May, the US Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives with racketeering and money laundering conspiracies. The suspects allegedly received some $150 million in bribes.