Move to recoup $40m from Qatar bid

The Abbott government is considering legal action against FIFA to recover more than $40 million spent on Australia's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup, which was won by Qatar through alleged bribery.

Federal Minister for Sport Peter Dutton told Fairfax he is "considering all options" in the wake of revelations that Qatari officials lavished $5 million in cash, plus gifts and free travel, on football officials to secure the hosting rights.

But Mr Dutton added that before proceeding he will wait for the results of FIFA's independent investigation, which is due mid-July.

''Australia is obviously one of a number of countries that bid but I think the first step is to determine what is going to happen with Qatar," he was quoted as saying.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has already called for the bid money to be returned by FIFA.

Qatar won the bid convincingly while Australia gained just one vote in the December 2010 ceremony.

Source: SMH
Author: Erin Tennant. Approving editor: Matthew Henry.