'German, French presidents tried to influence World Cup voting,' claims Blatter

06 July 2015 - 16:07 By Times LIVE
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A file photo of former France President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) talking with President of FIFA Sepp Blatter at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on March 27, 2008.
A file photo of former France President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) talking with President of FIFA Sepp Blatter at the Emirates Stadium, in London, on March 27, 2008.

Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a newspaper interview that France and Germany presidents “applied political pressure” before the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Speaking to German Sunday newspaper Welt am Sonntag, as per Associated Press, Blatter said that Nicolas Sarkozy and Christian Wulff, former presidents of France and Germany, respectively, applied pressure on their football federations to influence the vote.

“Messrs Sarkozy and Wulff tried to influence their voting representatives. That's why we now have a World Cup in Qatar,” said the 79-year-old Swiss.

“Those who decided it should take responsibility for it. I act on the leadership principal. If a majority of the executive committee wants a World Cup in Qatar then I have to accept that.

Former German FA president Theo Zwanziger wrote in his book that Wulff had asked about Qatar's chances but he denied it had had any influence.

"Look at the German companies!" he said before naming railway and construction firms. "Deutsche Bahn, Hochtief and many more had projects in Qatar even before the World Cup was awarded."

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