Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022

12.6.2015

Question for written answer E-009675-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marc Tarabella (S&D)

When suspicions of corruption in the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup competitions were leaked to the press, the Commission did not comment on them, which caused difficulty to the international institution. FIFA has now been vacillating for a fortnight because of inquiries being conducted by two countries outside the European Union: the USA and Switzerland.

Nonetheless, in view of the extent of the scandal, the European institution felt it necessary to respond at the beginning of the week. It called upon the institution’s leaders to reform FIFA’s governance so as to curb any system through which large-scale corruption could operate.

Apart from the vague hopes for reform which she expressed, the Commission’s spokeswoman also set out the Commission’s position on the organisation of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. While the conflict in Ukraine is causing concern all over Europe and while certain European heads of State have considered a boycott of the event by national teams affiliated to UEFA, the Commission states that this option is not currently being looked at. ‘This is not an option we have on the table,’ she said.

And what is the Commission’s position on Qatar 2022?