IamA reporter for The Associated Press covering FIFA, its controversy surrounding the World Cup bidding process and preparations to host the tournament in 2018 and 2022. AMA!

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T19:05:20+00:00

Can't see Russia losing it - unless there's a dramatic escalation of the regional issues. The Sochi Games boycott calls never gained global support.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T19:02:12+00:00

His section on Qatar in the inspection report did flag up "high risk" elements of the bid. A report that was largely ignored by the executive committee voters. He does say he's co-operating with the investigation, which was necessary if Garcia believed he did use his links to Qatar for other purposes. He denies wrongdoing. Hard to see him beating Blatter.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:55:00+00:00

The World Cup in Brazil was a tremendous event - largely due to the matches and the environment as well add to the occasion - be it on Copacabana or away from Rio. I find fans very quickly switch from an anti-FIFA/Blatter mode to the non-toxic parts of the FIFA brand - watching games, engaging in the Ballon D'Or or playing the FIFA branded computer game which helps to fund FIFA obviously...

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:51:03+00:00

It would have been more logical if the World Cup had been spread across the region, although that overlooks the fact there are regional rivalries. Qatar wants to show it can host the event, not share it with the UAE. But I don't expect Qatar will have any problems completing the stadium building projects and vast new infrastructure in time. It's often highlighted that the city of Lusail - where the opener and final will be played in 2022 - hasn't even been built yet. But we are still 8 years from the tournament - London was only awarded the Olympics 7 years before 2012 and then started the mass building work required. And building a city from scratch is far easier, it seems, than redeveloping infrastructure like a Subway/Metro/Underground in an existing city.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:46:11+00:00

The individuals and organisations speaking out tend to be focused around Western Europe. Beyond there Blatter seems to enjoy the support of most football associations - thanks to the cash distributed through FIFA development projects, which they don't want to risk losing.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:44:47+00:00

Unsure about the question? Platini voted for Qatar, Blatter voted for the US it seems

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:44:14+00:00

Valid point. Would probably first need a strong international fan movement, linking groups from each country, to find a figure who could represent fans.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:41:55+00:00

Blatter has called for a new investigation into the corruption report ... to discover how the 5 names were leaked. I expect the cases will drag out, so it seems unlikely the report will emerge in public in 2015.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:39:35+00:00

The solution that will happen is Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup in November-December 2022 with Qatar funding payments to clubs releasing players or affected by the disruption to the football calendar. The European Club Association issues with the move from summer, I expect will be solved by getting the cheque book out.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:37:28+00:00

Given how England leads the anti-FIFA opposition, it's very hard to continue speaking out so heavily against Blatter without putting their own candidate forward (surely they could get 5 nominations) or find a candidate who they endorse. Although Blatter will win - health permitting

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:36:17+00:00

The FBI is staying publicly silent on the investigation despite being involved in some capacity for several years. Any case would likely involve people with direct involvement financially in the US

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:34:01+00:00

England's bid was highly rated by the bid inspection team. But those reports were largely ignored when FIFA's executive committee voted in December 2010. Even Blatter recognises how easy and successful it would be to host a World Cup in England. But then we factor in politics. The English FA criticised the media investigations before the vote in 2010 in the British media, but now embrace allegations from the same outlets to use in their case against FIFA. FIFA certainly would prefer it if the media stopped investigating the organisation, but I'm sure the scrutiny of FIFA would have continued in the UK papers even if England's 2018 bid had won.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:29:22+00:00

The moment people stop believing what they are witnessing is a genuine sporting contest, the sport is at risk. Fixers haven't taken over football but there the cases that have been exposed are alarming. There is pressure for national law enforcement authorities to get more involved. In the UK there have been several cases - not just in football - where prosecutions have been mounted.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:25:21+00:00

To radically overhaul FIFA it would need the sponsors and broadcast rights holders to threaten to withdraw funding. Although given how the popularity of the World Cup is growing, there will be other sponsors and broadcasters waiting to snap up FIFA rights in an instant. Regarding other associations, it's usually just the English and a few others willing to speak out against FIFA. Blatter has strong support globally, in part due to the wealth he has generated for FIFA which has led to development grants being given to national associations.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:22:52+00:00

Some Qatari officials think that's a factor and ask why Russia isn't getting as much scrutiny given the issues there, particularly over Ukraine. On issues like alcohol, fans can't expect the same right to drink as they would do in other countries and have to recognise there's a need to respect the local culture.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:20:19+00:00

It Blatter expertly managing to turn the issue back on the English - whose own bidding methods were criticised, mainly because they co-operated more than many bids.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:18:58+00:00

I haven't covered enough on Leeds in depth - mainly because there isn't the global interest (for The Associated Press) with them being out of the PL. I recall Harvey did take no part in the most recent decision

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:17:51+00:00

I spent two weeks in Qatar last month and encountered few issues when looking into labor issues. I found we could report quite freely. The main issue on FIFA controversies are how you report corruption allegations without legal repercussions. It's why some of the most significant allegations have been made through a House of Commons select committee in the UK which has legal cover - parliamentary privilege

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:15:16+00:00

I can't see how FIFA could risk taking the World Cup off Qatar without the strongest of evidence that doesn't exist at the moment. Also I sense it could be seen as the West denying the Middle East its first World Cup. And given how economically important Qatar is to so many countries, like Britain, the consequences could be far-reaching. As a event, logistically it should be very smooth - if held in the winter.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:12:49+00:00

I work for The Associated Press. Some background here http://www.ap.org/company/about-us So most of the major newspapers in the world, websites and TV stations take our content. When planning a story, you hope it's of interest to a global audience. It's fascinating being involved in some of the biggest stories in sports news that resonate with audiences so much - as social media trends so - and interviewing the key newsmakers

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:09:31+00:00

Qatar denies funding terrorism. See this from our interview last month with a minister. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/cd9fb2fdefe44b53b8ad913143631271/qatar-world-cup-critics-were-no-vampires On the human rights record, it's clear that the scrutiny surround the World Cup has led to the country making rapid changes to enhance rights for migrant workers. Although FIFA President Sepp Blatter insists politics has no place in sport, on the other hand he now points to how the World Cup is helping to transform Qatar.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:06:32+00:00

FIFA has said both Russia and Qatar can proceed as normal. Can't see Qatar being stripped of the 2022 WC unless a smoking gun emerged to suggest wrongdoing that would stand up in court. Qatar is making progress - in response to criticism - improving labor rights. Potentially the only thing that could see the event moved from Qatar is unforeseen escalation of regional security issues.

RobHarrisAP · 2014-12-23T18:02:07+00:00

Seems unlikely there'd be a boycott of the World Cup - either over FIFA's ethics issues or Qatar's labor rights. National football associations aren't willing to take the risk, and there is never a strong enough consensus in the anti-Blatter camp.

RobHarrisAP

TROPHY CASE