Picking Qatar to host World Cup was a mistake, says Blatter

Then Fifa president Sepp Blatter announces that Qatar will be hosting the 2022 World Cup Keystone/Walter Bieri/AP)

Picking Qatar to host the World Cup was a mistake, former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said, as he cited a meeting between Nicolas Sarkozy and Michel Platini for swaying key votes.

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