FIFA president Sepp Blatter has reportedly claimed that the corruption allegations surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup bid have been motivated by racism.
Blatter said that there is a sort of storm against FIFA relating to the World Cup being held in Qatar, who was chosen as host in December 2010 but have faced corruption claims that have prompted football's governing body to being an inquiry.
According to the BBC, Blatter said that sadly there is a great deal of discrimination and racism in relation to Qatar being awarded the rights to host the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA will reportedly rule on the validity of the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in September or October, and Blatter, in relation to that point, said that the matter would be closed.
The president of football's world governing body said that the latest allegations would be discussed at the FIFA Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Blatter added that FIFA needed to combat anything that smacks of discrimination and racism and that it really makes him sad.