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Minister: England is 'ready to host 2022 World Cup'

England is ready to host the 2022 World Cup if it is stripped from Qatar in the wake of allegations of corruption and bribery in Fifa, Culture Secretary John Whittingdale has said.

Other key developments include:

  • Ex-vice president Jack Warner has promised to release an 'avalanche' of documents relating to the Fifa scandal
  • A full transcript of the confession of shamed Fifa official Charles 'Chuck' Blazer has been released
  • Outgoing president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by the FBI as part of the investigation
  • South Africa reject 2010 World Cup bribe claims
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Qatar: 'Racism' behind calls to strip us of World Cup

Qatar's Foreign Minister has accused critics of "prejudice and racism" as he said there was "no way" his country could be stripped of hosting the 2022 World Cup.

Khaled al-Attiyah, Qatari Foreign Affairs Minister Credit: Reuters

Khaled al-Attiyah hinted that the government had information revealing who was behind the "bashing campaign", claiming the country was being targeted by anti-Arab feeling.

It is very difficult for some to digest that an Arab Islamic country has this tournament, as if this right can't be for an Arab state.

I believe it is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar.

No way Qatar can be stripped [of the World Cup]. We are confident of the procedures and deserve to win it because we presented the best file. We are honest and confident we haven't [committed] any wrongdoing.

– Khaled al-Attiyah, Qatari foreign minister

Qatar beat Australia, Japan, the United States and South Korea for the right to host the competition, sparking allegations of corruption.

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Minister: England is 'ready to host 2022 World Cup'

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