Back to the International Newsfeed

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter insists 2022 World Cup vote not fixed

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted the 2022 World Cup vote was not fixed, saying: "You cannot buy a World Cup."

Blatter this week returned to FIFA's headquarters as his appeal against an eight-year ban from football was heard, and the 79-year-old continues to plead his innocence on several fronts amid numerous allegations of corruption.

Blatter was banned for eight years alongside then UEFA president Michel Platini over an alleged 'disloyal payment' between the two, but it was the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar which arguably sparked the crisis which has rocked FIFA.