Sony puts pressure on Fifa over Qatar

Sony has become the first World Cup sponsor to call for a probe into accusations that bribes were paid to secure the 2022 tournament for Qatar, raising the stakes for football chiefs, who have threatened to move the cup if the allegations are proved to be true.

Soccer’s governing body Fifa is conducting an internal investigation into the decisions to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 Cup in Qatar.

Qatar’s bid in particular has attracted controversy from the outset because of the extreme summer heat during the months when the cup is played and the tiny country’s lack of domestic soccer tradition.