Qatari bid teams responds to ´bought´ email

The winning Qatari 2022 World Cup bid team is considering legal action after FIFA’s Jerome Valcke claimed they bought the hosting rights.

In an email to FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, Valcke – the organisation’s secretary general – claimed Qatar paid to win the rights ahead of the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

But Qatar have hit back at the allegations and denied any wrongdoing.

“Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrongdoing in connection with their winning bid,” they said in a statement on Monday.

“We are urgently seeking clarification from FIFA about the statement from their general secretary. In the meantime, we are taking legal advice to consider our options.”

The email was reportedly written in the past fortnight, with Valcke discussing the FIFA presidential candidacy of Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hammam.

“For MBH (Mohamed Bin Hammam), I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB (incumbent Sepp Blatter). Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC (World Cup),” the email read.

Valcke has confirmed the email, released by Warner after his suspension by FIFA from football activities on Sunday because of bribery allegations, is genuine.