Picking Qatar as WC host was a ‘mistake’, says Blatter
GENEVA, Nov 8: Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake 12 years ago, FIFA’s president at the time Sepp Blatter said Tuesday, again citing a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes. The 86-year-old Blatter spoke with the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia in his first major interview since being acquitted with Platini in July of financial misconduct at FIFA after a trial at federal criminal court. “It’s a country that’s too small,” Blatter said of Qatar, the smallest host by size. “Football and the World Cup are too big for that.” “It was a bad choice. And I was responsible for that as president at the time,” said Blatter, who has long said he voted for the United States. (AP)
WC ambassador from Qatar denounces homosexuality
BERLIN, Nov 8: An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as a “damage in the mind” in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF only two weeks before the opening of the football tournament in the Gulf state, highlighting concerns about the conservative country’s treatment of gays and lesbians. Former Qatari national team player Khalid Salman told a German reporter in an interview that being gay is “haram,” or forbidden in Arabic, and that he has a problem with children seeing gay people. (AP)
Three women referees to officiate in World Cup
TOKYO, Nov 8: Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita knows that being one of three women picked to officiate matches at the World Cup — the first time a woman will be in charge on the game’s biggest stage — is not simply about football. Stephanie Frappart of France and Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda must be of the same mind. They are in a pool of 36 referees listed for Qatar — the rest are all men. FIFA has also named three female assistant referees in a pool of 69: Neuza Back of Brazil, Karen Diaz Medina of Mexico and Kathryn Nesbitt of the United States. (AP)
Large number of Argentines banned from Qatar stadiums
DOHA, Nov 7: Violent fans involved in illegal associations and even those in debt for food dues are part of a list of 6,000 Argentines who will not be allowed to enter World Cup stadiums in Qatar, the Buenos Aires city government said on Monday. “The violent ones are here and in Qatar. We want to bring peace back to football and that the violent ones are outside the stadiums,” the city’s Justice and Security Minister Marcelo D’Alessandro said in an interview on a local radio station. (Agencies)
Hamilton receives honorary citizenship in Brazil
Washington, Nov 8: Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton became a Brazilian driver. Hamilton received honorary citizenship at Brazil’s Congress chamber in Brasilia in front of hundreds of raucous fans. He’s in the country for the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend. Congressman Andre Figueiredo first made the suggestion last November after Hamilton won the Brazilian GP for a third time at Interlagos. The British driver carried a green and yellow Brazilian flag on his victory lap and at the podium to celebrate with local fans. “It is a great honor to get this title today. Now I can finally say I am one of you,” an emotional Hamilton said during the ceremony. (AP)