What We're Reading
World Cup 2018/22 bid vote to go ahead as scheduled
- AFP, Friday, October 29, 2010 3:16 PM
FIFA's executive committee will go ahead with its selection of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosts as scheduled on Dec. 2 in Zurich. Suggestions that the meeting be postponed in wake of the growing
scandal that has resulted in the suspension of two executive committee members were rejected.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said FIFA's ethics committee will meet Nov.
15-17 to examine the cases involving Nigerian Amos Adamu and Tahitian Reynald Temarii and four other FIFA officials who
have been suspended because of their activities in the recent Sunday Times' sting operation. The committee will also examine charges of illicit collusion between bidders, believed to be Qatar and
Spain/Portugal.
"This is enough time to take adequate steps if something serious should happen at the meeting on Nov. 17," Blatter added. "It's an uncomfortable situation for FIFA but we
have the necessary instruments to see we react the proper way."
For the first time, though, Blatter expressed some regret with the process that involves two World Cups being picked at the
same time -- a process that is rife for the trading of votes. "I'm not convinced now that it was the right decision," he said.
