QATAR could still face a battle to stage the 2022 World Cup – after a string of countries cut diplomatic ties with the tiny nation.
Concerned FIFA officials are due for talks with the organisers after seven nations accused the oil-rich nation of backing Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
Saudi Arabia has closed its borders and air space to Qatar and that will have an impact of them receiving supplies as it looks to continue building stadiums for the showpiece tournament.
In a statement, the world’s governing body would say only: “Fifa is in regular contact with the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy handling matters relating to the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
“We have no further comments for the time being.”
Bahrain, Egypt, the UAE, Yemen, Libya and the Maldives have also cut diplomatic ties, accusing Qatar of destabilising the region.
If the allegations are proved correct, then Qatar could end up having the World Cup taken away by Fifa, with the United States likely to step in.
Qatar, which has about £40billion of investments in Britain, has joined the US coalition against IS but the Arab countries believe the same country is funding extremists.
Qatar 2022 has been caught up in controversy since being awarded the World Cup, which will cost £138billion.
most read in football
There were concerns over the country’s suitability to stage the tournaments, which will now be held in December due to the heat in the summer.
And there were also doubts over the fairness of Fifa’s bidding process, with former president Sepp Blatter having left the organisation in disgrace amid a corruption scandal.
Shockingly, there has been more scandal on the building programme and the safety of its workers.
Qatar has been accused of working 1,200 migrants to death since it was awarded the competition in 2010 and campaigners have claimed the death toll could reach 4,000 by 2022.
The country, which has some strong sporting links, including tie-ups with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, has denied the accusations from its neighbouring nations.
Leave a comment