Blatter says picking Qatar as World Cup host was a ‘mistake’

The 86-year-old made the comments his first major interview since being acquitted with Michel Platini in July of financial misconduct.

POLITICAL FOOTBALL: Then FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter announces that Qatar will be hosting the 2022 Soccer World Cup in 2010. Picture: AP Photo/Keystone/Walter Bieri, File

Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake 12 years ago, FIFA’s president at the time Sepp Blatter said Tuesday, again citing a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes.

The 86-year-old Blatter spoke with the Swiss newspaper group Tamedia in his first major interview since being acquitted with Platini in July of financial misconduct at FIFA after a trial at federal criminal court.