[ ::: ♥Keep_Mailing♥ ::: ]™ Canberra in frame if Qatar is stripped of hosting 2022 World Cup

YES FIFA NEEDS TO DO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF BRIBERY GIVEN BY QATARI OFFICIALS TO HOST THE WORLD CUP.

OH YES THE ARABS NEED TO KNOW THAT MONEY DOESN'T GET YOU THE MOST COVETED EVENT OF THE WORLD.

Canberra in frame if Qatar is stripped of hosting 2022 World Cup

By Chris Dutton, (HERALD)

June 2, 2014, 8:07 p.m.

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An artist's impression of what Canberra Stadium could have been if Australia was successful in its bid for the 2022 World Cup. Photo: FFA

The ACT government will consider a flexible design model for a new rectangular stadium with a clear roof in Civic to ensure Canberra has the capacity to host World Cup games if FIFA strips Qatar of the right to host the 2022 tournament.

Canberra officials will fly to Singapore this month to inspect another enclosed venue as the government continues plans to build a new venue by 2020.

Football Federation Australia has left the door ajar for re-submitting its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Canberra was set for a federal government funding boost to pay for some of the costs involved in building a new stadium if Australia won the right to host the World Cup.

Australia's initial $43 million bid won just one FIFA vote.

The ACT government is still considering designs for a $200 million venue, but it has been scaled down from the 45,000-seat World Cup requirement to 30,000.

It is understood the plans include flexible seating arrangements, which would allow an extra 15,000 seats to be added to get to FIFA standards to host big events.

The government is yet to settle on a design, but is weighing up options as part of the City to the Lake initiative.

FFA chief executive David Gallop said Australia's position was "watch this space" after Britain's The Sunday Times published documents alleging the mastermind behind Qatar's bid, former Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam, covertly paid officials up to $US5 million in exchange for votes and support.

"It's a serious development, they're serious allegations, and we're looking to see what the response to that will be," Gallop told SEN radio.

"It's too early to say whether that re-opens the door ... in terms of Australia's position, but it's a bit of a 'watch this space' at this stage."

The FFA has been involved in FIFA's integrity investigation into corruption, providing documents and interviews to chief FIFA investigator, Michael Garcia.

If the allegations are proven, FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said the voting process could be re-opened.

"We've been heavily involved in this now for many months in terms of the investigation that Mr Garcia is carrying out," Gallop said.

"I'm sure when we're in Brazil for FIFA congress, we'll find out more information.

"We've been involved in interviews, production of documents and also following carefully what's been happening away from Australia. We've got people who've been involved for some time now."

Gallop's comments follow waves of support from Britain in favour of Australia hosting the 2022 World Cup.

Former England star and broadcaster Gary Lineker believes Australia remains the strongest candidate. “I think FIFA need another vote. The best candidate for 2022, given 2018 is in Europe was, and still is, Australia,'' he said.

Senior football administrators are calling for Qatar to be stripped of the hosting rights and re-opening the voting process.

"If Garcia's report comes up and his recommendations are that wrongdoing happened for that vote for the 2022 World Cup, I certainly - as a member of the executive [committee] - would have absolutely no problem whatsoever if the recommendation was for a re-vote," he said.

The chairman of the England FA, Greg Dyke, slammed the credentials of the bid process, which was embroiled in corruption scandals before a single vote was cast, beginning with the suspension of executive committee members Amos Adamu and Reynald Temarii over allegations of accepting bribes.

"I think if it is shown it was a corrupt system and that the people who won used bribes and other influences to get the vote, then of course it has got to be done again," Dyke said.

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