Major World Cup sponsor wants corruption allegations investigated

FIFA under increased pressure over Qatar bid

FIFA president Joseph Blatter opens the envelope to reveal that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich four years ago. 

THE World Cup in Qatar in 2022 has been placed in further doubt after one of the main sponsors urged FIFA to investigate allegations of corruption linked to the country's successful bid.

Electronics giant Sony is the first of six businesses listed as a FIFA 'partner' to comment on the deluge of allegations.

As a 'partner' it is considered one of the main backers of the tournament, but it has asked FIFA to ensure it abides by "its principles of integrity, ethics and fair play".

It comes after the Sunday Times reported it has received "hundreds of millions" of documents which it claims reveal that disgraced former FIFA executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam had made payments to football officials in return for votes for Qatar.

An assessment of the bidding process for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups is due to be completed by FIFA's chief investigator Michael Garcia tomorrow.

In today's Sunday Times - following up from allegations last week - the paper has published further allegations regarding Mr Bin Hammam, including claims surrounding various business meetings.

Sony told the British newspaper: "As a FIFA partner, we expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately."

Following the latest reports surrounding Qatar 2022, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Twitter: "Never ignoring media reports on ethics allegations in football. But let the Ethics Committee work!"