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Sepp Blatter Says Awarding Qatar 2022 World Cup Was A 'Mistake'

'It Was A Mistake' - Blatter Finally Acknowledges Qatar World Cup Error
Samuel Luckhurst
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Fifa president Sepp Blatter has admitted it was a "mistake" to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup.

Speaking to Swiss channel RTS, Blatter said: "Of course, it was a mistake. You know, one makes a lot of mistakes in life.

"The technical report indicated clearly that it was too hot in summer, but despite that the executive committee decided with quite a big majority that the tournament would be in Qatar."

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Not only is the 2022 World Cup likely to be scheduled in the winter, thus meddling with the football calendar, but homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, which has also been accused of hosting "modern slavery".

Amnesty International reported Nepalese workers are "treated like cattle" in the Gulf state.

Despite admitting his error - Blatter voted for Qatar - the beleaguered Swiss last week confirmed he will run for a fifth term as Fifa president.

Blatter, 78, is determined to fulfil his dream of winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

Qatar 2022
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(01 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Doha Port stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. The architecture of the stadium references its location by creating a shape reminiscent of a marine animal. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(02 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Al-Shamal stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. It's shape was derived from the traditional 'dhow', the local fishing boats of the Arabian Gulf. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(03 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Qatar University stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(04 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Al-Gharafa stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. The facade will be made up of the colours of the flags of all countries that have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup to symbolise football and the friendship, respect and understanding. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(05 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - SEPTEMBER 16: The FIFA inspection group take off in front of the Aspire Tower and the Khalifa Stadium on board the Royal helicopter for an aerial inspection of proposed World Cup sites at the Aspire sports complex on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images for Qatar 2022) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(06 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - SEPTEMBER 16: The FIFA inspection group fly over the Khalifa Stadium on board the Royal helicopter for an aerial inspection of proposed World Cup sites at the Aspire sports complex on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images for Qatar 2022) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(07 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Al-Khor stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(08 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Al-Wakrah stadium complex is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Qatar 2022 Reveals Innovative New Stadiums and Unique Cooling Technologies(09 of12)
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AL WAKRAH, QATAR: In this artist's illustration provided by Qatar 2022/HH Vision, an aerial view is displayed of a 45,000 capacity stadium located in Al Wakrah in the south of Qatar, set in a park setting that includes a themed swimming pool, spa zone, spots facilities and shopping mall. The main stadium entrance will face onto a beautiful plaza that will create a sense of one large extended park. Qatar 2022 announced details of a number of its stadia, and the world-first, carbon-neutral technology it will use to cool stadiums, fan fests/zones and training sites if Qatar is chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, paving the way for the first ever cooled outdoor global sporting event. Qatar aims to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time in the history of the tournament. FIFA's Executive Committee will vote on the locations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals on December 2, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland. (Illustration by Qatar 2022/HH Vision via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Qatar 2022 Reveals Innovative New Stadiums and Unique Cooling Technologies(10 of12)
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AL SHAMAL, QATAR: In this artist's illustration provided by Qatar 2022/HH Vision, an aerial view is displayed of a 45,120 capacity stadium located in Al-Shamal in the north of Qatar, on the edge of the Arabian Gulf. The stadium's bowl shape design is derived from the 'traditional dhows', the local fishing boats of the Gulf. Around 10% of spectators for Al-Shamal are expected to arrive via the Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge, which will be the longest free-standing bridge in the world. Qatar 2022 announced details of a number of its stadia, and the world-first, carbon-neutral technology it will use to cool stadiums, fan fests/zones and training sites if Qatar is chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, paving the way for the first ever cooled outdoor global sporting event. Qatar aims to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time in the history of the tournament. FIFA's Executive Committee will vote on the locations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals on December 2, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland. (Illustration by Qatar 2022/HH Vision via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FIFA 2022 World Cup Bid In Doha(11 of12)
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DOHA, QATAR - UNDATED: In this handout image supplied by Qatar 2022 The Umm Slal stadium is pictured in this artists impression as Qatar 2022 World Cup bid unveils it's stadiums on September 16, 2010 in Doha, Qatar. The architectural concept takes it's inspiration from a nearby beautiful old fort. (Photo by Qatar 2022 via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Qatar 2022 Reveals Innovative New Stadiums and Unique Cooling Technologies(12 of12)
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AL GHARAFA, QATAR: In this artist's illustration provided by Qatar 2022/HH Vision, an aerial view is displayed of Al Gharafa stadium, located close to Doha, its current capacity will also double to 44,740 via a modular upper tier stand if Qatar wins the right to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The stadium facade will be made up of the colours of all the countries qualifying for Qatar 2022, symbolising the friendship, mutual tolerance and respect of the FIFA World Cup and Qatar. Qatar 2022 announced details of a number of its stadia, and the world-first, carbon-neutral technology it will use to cool stadiums, fan fests/zones and training sites if Qatar is chosen to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, paving the way for the first ever cooled outdoor global sporting event. Qatar aims to bring the World Cup to the Middle East for the first time in the history of the tournament. FIFA's Executive Committee will vote on the locations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup Finals on December 2, 2010, in Zurich, Switzerland (Illustration by Qatar 2022/HH Vision via Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

He insisted however Qatar had not "bought" the World Cup - the bid did spend large amounts of money on sponsorship and development programmes.

"No, I have never said it was bought," Blatter added, "but that it was due to political considerations."

Fifa, however, have issued a statement stressing Blatter had not questioned Qatar as hosts.

"As explained in his answer to the journalist, the president reiterated that the decision to organise the World Cup in summer was an 'error' based on the technical assessment report of the bid, which had highlighted the extremely hot temperatures in summer in Qatar.

"At no stage did he question Qatar as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup."

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