May 31 – French authorities say they are considering launching their own investigation into Qatar being awarded the right to host the 2022 World Cup.
Speaking on the French radio station Europe 1, national financial prosecutor Eliane Houlette fielded a question about launching such a probe, saying the idea remains a possibility.
“We are think about [an investigation]. We have a number of indications than encourage us to investigate,” she said.
French officials have long been suspected of pressurising former UEFA president Michel Platini into voting for Qatar in December 2010. Platini, now out of the game following his four-year ban, has always denied that a meeting with then French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the future Emir of the Gulf state influenced his vote.
French authorities can investigate if they have reason to believe that their own nationals are involved in any unlawful elements of the 2022 bid that might have taken place in France.
“If there is an investigation, probably the role of Mr. Platini will be essential, but the investigation will not be focused on Mr. Platini,” Houlette said.
An investigation into the process that led to ballot for both 2022 and 2018 was launched last year by the Office of the Swiss Attorney-General and is still ongoing.
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