LONDON: The decision to award Russia and Qatar the 2018 and 2022 World Cups has been lambasted as “the biggest corruption decision in the history of sport” at a conference in London on integrity in football.
The Foundation for Sports Integrity was launched on Thursday in reaction to corruption allegations that have plagued FIFA, centering on the 2010 vote. FBI indictments, arrests and the banning of disgraced former president Sepp Blatter in 2015 have added to FIFA’s woes.
Despite serious questions regarding its suitability to host a global tournament on such a scale, Qatar was unexpectedly voted by 14 members of FIFA’s now-defunct executive committee to host the 2022 showpiece, with Russia winning the 2018 bid.
Speaking on a panel discussing the controversial 2010 bidding process, German investigative journalist Jens Weinreich said: “It was the biggest corruption decision ever in the history of sport.
“The sheer level of money involved, what Qatar and Russia paid for different deals, was of a new scale. It shocked even people who were involved in other corrupt decisions in the years before.”
A report commissioned by the foundation, set to be published shortly, will detail how one executive committee member who voted for Qatar, Julio Grondona, allegedy received a mystery $4.8 million payment in the lead-up to the infamous vote. Grondona has since died. The foundation also alleges that Qatar used substantial commercial deals via Qatar Airways and redeemed a $66 million debt held by the Argentine FA to help win over various members of the committee.
British MP Damian Collins, chairman of the House of Commons culture, media and sport select committee, has been an outspoken critic of FIFA. “If there is evidence of corruption, (the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar) should be taken away and the tournament should be held along the lines of the 2020 European Championships with a number of different hosts,” he said.
It is far from the first time accusations have been levelled at the transparency and validity of Qatar’s bid.
The publication of the Garcia report in 2017, after its full contents had initially been suppressed by FIFA, detailed a $2.6 million payment to the daughter of Brazilian FA president Ricardo Texeira and how three senior figures were flown to a meeting in Rio on a Qatari-owned jet.
With just over four years before kick-off, Qatar’s suitability remains a major point of contention with the tournament now set to take place in November and December to avoid the health risks of playing in soaring summer temperatures exceeding 40 degrees.
Considerable work remains to be done on creating infrastructure for fans and players, and while building and renovation of the proposed eight stadiums has accelerated, questions have been raised about the treatment of migrant construction labor.
Former FIFA official Harold Mayne-Nicholls detailed his involvement in assessing the technical merits of the 11 countries who were bidding for 2018 and 2022 and how his team produced 30 glossy booklets which were sent to members of the FIFA committee ahead of the vote.
Qatar was deemed “high risk” due to the lack of transport and football infrastructure in the Gulf state, while the searing temperatures that players and fans would face in summer were a major concern.
But Mayne-Nicholls and his team’s report largely went ignored.
“I talked to a lot of committee members,” he said, “and I don’t think they even opened it. They had reached their conclusions before
I sent the report. They had taken their vote already.”
“The whole process is designed (to cover up) corruption and it is still there. The technical aspects do not decide,” said Weinreich. “You can easily design a transparent process to focus on the technical aspects. It’s easy. There are so many experts all over the world who can do that.”
Of the 22 committee members who voted on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, 11 have either been fined, suspended or banned for life over various corruption offenses.
Simon Johnson, who led England’s unsuccessful bid for 2018, said: “The only bid that was indicated as high risk was Qatar. Therefore, within the limited power that they have, there was a flashing amber light pointing at the Qatar bid saying, ‘do not vote for this bid.’
“The fundamental problem with the whole process was the fact it was at the complete discretion of the committee members to decide on the basis of whatever criteria were important to them,” he said.
Qatar World Cup decision labelled ‘most corrupt in sporting history’
Qatar World Cup decision labelled ‘most corrupt in sporting history’
- FBI indictments, arrests and the banning of disgraced former president Sepp Blatter in 2015 have added to FIFA’s woes
- Qatar used substantial commercial deals via Qatar Airways and redeemed a $66 million debt held by the Argentine FA to help win over various members
5 things we learned from the latest action-packed 2026 World Cup 3rd-round qualifiers
1. Saudi Arabia leave Australia frustrated but facing in the right direction
Following the 0-0 draw with the Socceroos in Melbourne, Saudi striker Saleh Al-Shehri summed it up as: “We wanted to win, but a draw is not a bad result.”
The frustration was due to a disallowed goal. Had Sultan Al-Ghannam’s injury-time strike not been ruled out due to the tightest of offsides, this would have been one of the Green Falcons’ most famous qualification victories ever. It would have put them in the driving seat for second place, the only automatic qualifying spot remaining with Japan out in front.
Overall, however, there was much about which to be satisfied. While this was a love-to-win game, it was not a must-win — just a must-not-lose. It means, all things being equal, that a win over the Socceroos at home in 2025 will be enough.
After the first four Group C games, this felt like an oil tanker turning around. The Green Falcons may now be flying in the right direction.
2. Renard offers hope and second chances
It is not about who is the better coach — Herve Renard or Roberto Mancini — but about who is the best fit for Saudi Arabia.
The answer is, without question, Renard. The Frenchman has recalled players like Yasser Al-Shahrani, who was ditched by the Italian, and the decision was vindicated by the full-back’s performance.
Returning to four at the back, after the majority of Mancini’s games saw three, seemed to be welcomed by the players. They looked more comfortable from the beginning, with an impressive first half, and when the hosts took control after the break Renard was ready to make changes — helped by the excellent Saud Abdulhamid.
Given the injury to Salem Al-Dawsari, the team’s greatest offensive threat, the lack of creativity was no surprise. Scoring goals is a problem — taking just three from five games is a worry — and that has to change against Indonesia next week. If it does, the situation will look much better.
3. Bahrain will regret blowing their chance
There was plenty of drama all around Asia on Thursday and Riffa had more than its fair share as China beat Bahrain 1-0.
After Saudi Arabia and Australia drew earlier in the day to move onto six points, Bahrain had a chance to go two points clear and take control of the second automatic qualifying slot. Playing China at home was a perfect opportunity. Just imagine — if the Reds have won that and then beaten Australia next week, the Socceroos would have probably been out of the running.
That seemed to be the case in the 87th minute. Ali Haram stretched for a ball from deep and then scored an opportunistic goal, but it was ruled offside by a similar margin to that of Saudi Arabia’s. The defense fell asleep in injury time and then Zhang Yuning shot home.
It means that China are now level with Australia and Saudi Arabia, and suddenly there are four teams in the hunt for second place. For Bahrain, it could be a setback from which they do not recover.
4. Ali and Suhail the heroes for the UAE and Qatar
Over in Group A, the UAE beat Kyrgyzstan 3-0 while Qatar had a more difficult game as they defeated Uzbekistan 3-2. Both needed the victory.
A victory by Iran moved them clear in the top spot, meaning Uzbekistan, Qatar and the UAE are all chasing second. Qatar looked to be strolling to victory thanks to two goals from Almoez Ali, but then young forward Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored twice in five minutes for the opposition.
A draw looked imminent as play entered the 112th minute, but a last-gasp goal from Lucas Mendes sent the home fans wild.
The UAE had a much easier ride, with Hareb Abdalla bagging a brace as the Whites made short work of their Central Asian opposition. It means there is much riding on Tuesday’s clash between the two West Asian rivals in Al-Ain, and whoever loses may be out of the running for automatic qualification. It should be quite the occasion.
5. Oman make Group B a three-way clash
South Korea won 3-1 in Kuwait to move five points clear at the top of the group and there is little doubt the Taeguk Warriors will automatically qualify.
Yet something interesting is happening below them. It really looked as if the battle for second would be between Jordan and Iraq but these two teams played out a 0-0 draw in Basra to leave the 65,000 passionate home fans a little disappointed. Now both are on eight points.
Iraq were predictable and a bit too reliant on in-form forward Aymen Hussein, while Jordan will be the most satisfied of the two with the away draw.
Happier still are Oman, who beat Palestine 1-0 to collect a second successive win that moved them on to six points, just two behind the second and third spots. It means Palestine and Kuwait have a lot to do just to try and finish fourth.
Oman have their sights set on a bigger prize. A win against Iraq in Muscat on Tuesday really would really put the cat among the Group B pigeons.
Saudi Arabia fight back to stun Germany in NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024
NEOM: Hosts Saudi Arabia threw off their opening day defeat against England with a 7-6 win over Germany in the second day of action at the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2024.
Spurred on by the support of their fans at Gayal Beach, the national beach soccer team took to the sand on Thursday night.
Al-Hamami and Qasem gave Saudi Arabia a 2-0 lead in the first period and the hosts added two more goals to their tally in the second, Salman and Waleed both finding the net. Germany then closed the gap as Peterson scored a brace.
There was even more action in the third period, as four goals from Germany and two from the home side took the match into extra time at 6-6.
It was left to Waleed to score the winner and reward Saudi Arabia with two points on the board following their first win in this year’s competition.
Also in Group A, after securing a first-day victory against Germany, the UAE struck three times in the first 12 minutes against England with goals from Ali, Kamal and Mousab.
England responded well, finding the back of the net three times in the space of two minutes during the second period courtesy of a Robinson brace and one from Lawson. Despite the setback, A. Abbas restored the advantage for his team before the period ended.
Both teams were on target twice in the third and final period, A. Abbas scoring his second and goalkeeper Bahri hitting the target for the UAE. Lawson got his second for England, with Younie also striking home. But it was not enough, and the UAE clinched their second victory of the tournament to put them on maximum points.
The second Group B match of the day saw a repeat of the NEOM Beach Soccer Cup 2023 final as defending champions Brazil took on Japan.
The scores were even at 2-2 by the end of the first period, as Antonio scored two for Brazil, and Oba and Akaguma found the net for Japan. The teams were tied in the second phase of play too, Benjamin Jr. and Oba scoring within six seconds of each other.
Brazil secured victory in the third and final period with a brace from Edson Hulk and a goal from Datinha, although they conceded goals from Akaguma and Oba.
Eight teams are taking place in the men’s tournament during this third edition of the cup. Group A is made up of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, England and Germany, with Brazil, Spain, Japan and China in Group B.
In the women’s competition, defending champions Spain, 2022 participants England and Ukraine, and 2022 champions Brazil will take to the sand.
Tamam team defeats Casa Riyadh in Silver Cup tournament
RIYADH: The Tamam Polo Team claimed victory over rivals Casa Riyadh on Thursday, beating them 5-4 in the Silver Cup Championship.
Taking place at Nofa Equestrian Resort in Riyadh, this is the third edition of the tournament, which continues until Nov. 16.
The Tamam team included Hashem Al-Alawi, Abdulmohsen Al-Hokair, Faisal Abu Nayan and Marcelo Antonio. Representing Casa Riyadh were Prince Salman bin Sultan, Ibrahim Al-Harbi, Salman bin Haif and Muhammed Naveed.
The Silver Cup is the first tournament of the season, played in a points system where the team with the most goals wins in the event of a tie.
Friday will see Casa Riyadh face Tuwaiq in the second round.
Grit and gratitude: Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist is making moves
- Moroj Adil is inspiring a new era in Saudi cycling
Saudi Arabia’s first pro cyclist, Moroj Adil, is an athlete on the move, her trajectory set firmly on an upward path. The past two years have been a transformative journey for the 26-year-old from Makkah, one marked by determination, resilience and many firsts.
In 2022, inspired by the Tour de France Femmes and Giro d’Italia Women, Adil made a bold decision: She wanted to become a professional cyclist. The challenge? She didn’t know how to ride a bike.
“I already decided that I want to be a pro cyclist,” Adil recalled. “When you have this idea in your mind, or when you think about something and start to look at everything around you, things just start to happen to you.”
Her resolve was unwavering: “I was thinking about what it would be like, and I was really worried about the idea. How could I start this professional journey and take a step forward into a cycling career?”
But Adil didn’t just dream; she acted. In 2022 she joined a cycling group in Jeddah and showed up without a bike and no real experience. She borrowed the group’s bike and, by the end of that first outing, she was a cyclist.
Eager to put her new skills to the test, Adil entered her first races. An early challenge was the 2022 NEOM Titan Desert Race, a grueling 400 km mountain bike stage race that takes place each November during the NEOM Beach Games. With a rookie’s spirit but limited experience, she showed up with a downhill bike that was completely unsuitable for the course. She was disqualified for missing the time cutoffs but remained undeterred.
Adil set her sights on being involved in the AlUla Tour, the Kingdom’s largest cycling competition, in January 2023. She reached out to the Saudi Arabian Cycling Federation and offered her help for the professional men’s event. She was warmly welcomed and, during the event, had the opportunity to ride with members of the Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s WorldTour Pro team, the Jayco-AlUla men’s team, and the Saudi National Cycling Team.
“I was the only Saudi girl during that ride,” she said. “When I saw these professional riders, I got more excited. I told myself, ‘One day, you’re going to be part of that team. You will ride with them as one of them.’”
Adil’s dedication paid off when she was invited to a team training camp in Spain and subsequently signed a contract with Liv AlUla Jayco’s Continental Team, a stepping stone to the Women’s WorldTour Team. A move to Girona, Spain for the 2024 season solidified her status as a professional athlete.
With her first year as a pro drawing to a close, Adil describes her routine as “eat, sleep, cycle.” She admits the transition was tough but rewarding.
“The first season was so fun, full of learning, making mistakes, and growing from them,” she said.
“When you have a rider who started cycling two years ago, racing with and against cyclists who have been riding since they were seven or eight years old, it’s kind of hard. While everyone else is putting in 100 percent effort, I have to put in 1,000 percent.”
Yet Adil embraces the challenge: “I was enjoying this kind of struggle and challenge, and that’s what makes cycling fun.”
With her second NEOM Titan Desert Race fast approaching — it starts on Nov. 18 — Adil is hopeful and determined. Despite disqualification in 2022, she placed second last year and is eager for another podium finish.
“When you’re on the podium once, you crave that feeling of winning. I’m aiming to always be one of the top riders in this race,” she said.
Reflecting on the year past, Adil is grateful for the support of her team and feels it is a responsibility to give it her all in the race: “The hard work I’ve done with the team throughout the year has paid off. They opened so many doors for me. This is the least I can do to give back.”
And looking ahead, Adil has big plans.
“One of my goals is to take full advantage of being on the Continental team,” she said. “It means I have more chances to make mistakes and learn. I’m not looking forward to making mistakes, but to gain experience so I can take my performance to the next level.”
Having embraced the steep learning curve, Adil is preparing for new challenges. Next season, she will move to Belgium to train in harsher weather and improve her racing in new conditions.
“Last year, I struggled with the wind. Belgium and the Netherlands will be the best places to work on that,” she said, adding that her journey so far had been transformative: “The biggest thing I’ve learned is that whatever you think about yourself becomes your reality. Be careful about your thoughts. What you believe can come true.”
Her dreams and dedication go beyond personal victories, as Adil hopes to inspire the next generation of Saudi cyclists. She is also optimistic about the growth of women’s cycling in the Kingdom.
“Everything has a first time, and I hope I’ve opened the door for others,” she said. “This year, the women’s racing calendar is expanding, and the peloton is getting bigger.”
She says young Saudi women are also reaching out to her, curious about her life as a professional cyclist: “They’re asking about cycling as a career, not just as a hobby. It makes me so happy. I hope we see more professional Saudi riders, both men and women.”
• Dawn Barnable is the founder and host of The Mettleset Podcast, a platform dedicated to women in sport from across the region.
With a gamble in Greece, England recover without Harry Kane for 3-0 win
- Carsley’s brief tenure with England as a caretaker coach after the departure of Gareth Southgate has been under a cloud of scrutiny since that first-ever defeat to Greece
- Watkins led England’s forward-leaning formation, justifying the selection with a goal in the seventh minute
ATHENS: This time, Lee Carsley’s gamble paid off.
In a surprise move, England’s interim coach left captain Harry Kane on the bench for the Nations League match against Greece on Thursday and the youthful team eased to a 3-0 win in Athens.
It was a far cry from a month ago when Carsley boldly picked a team featuring no recognized strikers — Kane was injured on that occasion — and full of midfielders, only for England to lose 2-1 to Greece at Wembley Stadium.
Carsley’s brief tenure with England as a caretaker coach after the departure of Gareth Southgate has been under a cloud of scrutiny since that first-ever defeat to Greece. Yet he’ll hand the reins to Thomas Tuchel at the end of the year with his reputation somewhat restored and the future suddenly looking more positive for the national team.
Indeed, looking to the future is the reason he chose Ollie Watkins over Kane for this match.
“This team needs to try and create leaders and one way to do that is give them opportunities,” he said of the decision to pick Watkins in a team that also included a debut for Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
Watkins led England’s forward-leaning formation, justifying the selection with a goal in the seventh minute when he tapped in a cross from 22-year-old winger Noni Madueke — another unexpected starter.
Jude Bellingham had a hand in the second goal in the 78th, sending in a shot that hit the post before the ball deflected off Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the net. Jones flicked the ball in for 3-0 five minutes later.
“There were a lot of positives,” Carsley said. “I see the quality the players have got and you’re now seeing what they are capable of. ... When you see the team, you might have thought it was a gamble — you know, a risk — but I’ve got real confidence in these players.”
Kane came on for Watkins in the 66th minute and Carsley said he expected the captain to start on Sunday when England hosts Ireland, seeking a win to finish top of the group and secure promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League.
“He was absolutely fine,” Carsley said. “I think it’d be fair to say he wants to play every game like all top players do. I think he understands it’s important that other players experience that kind of experience we had tonight. He’s a great example to the rest of the players.
“It was brilliant for Ollie to get a goal,” Carsley added. “It’s important that if we’re going to put these players in a position where we are going to win the World Cup, these players need as many experiences as they can. It was no slight on Harry.”
The Greeks went scoreless despite convincing spells in attack, with coach Ivan Jovanovic conceding that England had found its form to halt a run of four successive wins for his team.
“England is a better team for sure, they have higher quality, but the result could have been different,” Jovanovic said. “I have no complaints with the effort the players put in, their runs and their challenges, but we were a notch behind them. England was very good, very good, and we were below the level we can play at.”
