Professor Wyn Grant, from the University of Warwick’s Department of Politics and International Studies, is an expert of the political economy of football.

He said: “Qatar has been cleared of allegations of corruption surrounding its successful 2022 World Cup bid, but it is the Football Association that now finds itself in the dock. Its own commitment to transparency has got it into trouble.

“It is accused of seeking to influence former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner who resigned from his post amid allegations of bribery. This enables defenders of Fifa president Sepp Blatter to turn the tables on his critics.

“It is doubtful whether it will be worth England making another bid to host the World Cup in the foreseeable future. This bid attracted derisory support, despite the presence of David Cameron and Prince William. These bids are expensive to mount and there is little point in doing so if the chances of success are remote.

“Now that holding the World Cup in Qatar is confirmed, the question of exactly when to hold it remains unresolved. It cannot be played in high temperatures, but there is the issue of minimising disruption to the European season and the associated revenue streams.”

To speak to Wyn Grant contact Lee Page, Communications Manager at The University of Warwick. Tel: +44 (0)2476 574 255. Mob: +44 (0)7920 531 221. Email: l.page@warwick.ac.uk.

 

 Contact:

Lee Page, Communications Manager

Tel: +44 (0)2476 574 255.

Mob: +44 (0)7920 531 221.

Email: l.page@warwick.ac.uk.