Blatter again defends World Cup choices

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has once again defended the decisions to select Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.

Blatter was one of a 23-man executive committee to vote on the host nations for the biggest event in the sporting world, with Russia and Qatar triumphing over several other more-fancied nations in the ballot on December 2.

Football’s governing body has since been the subject of much criticism, with allegations of corruption and foul play marring the voting process.

But Blatter, on a two-day visit to Bahrain, said the decision was about bringing football to new areas.

“Football is more than a game, football has a social, cultural impact and it is a school of life,” Blatter told reporters on Saturday.

“It can bring the World Cup to such regions, it will have how much more importance than hundreds of courses. The World Cup is here, that’s it.”

Blatter had a veiled dig at England, who he had earlier called ‘bad losers’ after they won just two votes and missed out on the rights to host the tournament.

“And if they don’t understand then they don’t feel football, they always think football is only business, football is money, business, corner kicks, penalties. Football is more than that,” he said.

Blatter was in Bahrain to attend the opening ceremony of the new Bahrain Football Association premises.