David Beckham: Fifa corruption scandal is 'disgusting' but Qatar and Russia should still host the World Cup

Devastated: Beckham is frustrated with the ongoing FIFA corruption scandal
Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
Sam Long7 December 2015

David Beckham has branded the ongoing Fifa corruption scandal "disgusting" but believes that the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments should not be moved.

The sport's governing body has been in crisis since May when 14 exectuvies were indicted as part of an FBI investigation and 16 more high-ranking officials were charged by US authorities as recently as last week.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Uefa president Michel Platini are serving 90-day suspensions for a suspected criminal payment while Swiss authorities have launched a criminal investigation in the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which are set to to take place in Russia and Qatar.

Beckham was part of an FA's delegation that failed to win the right to stage the 2018 edition of the competition and has refused to accept that the prospect of a new Fifa president being in place next year means that the organisation has turned a corner.

"No - they are just hitting the bend," the former England captain told the Radio Times.

"There's a lot still to be done. It's such a mess that it's going to take a while to sort out.

"For me to see the game, the way it's been treated and looked after, is devastating. It's disgusting."

It has been suggested that the votes in regards to the 2018 and 2022 World Cups should be re-staged as 16 of the 24 committee members serving at the time of the bids have either already been punished for misconduct or are currently under investigation.

The Qatar tournament has come under intense scrutiny as games will need to be played in the winter months due to intense summer temperatures that can rise as high as 50 degrees Celsius.

The competition is expected to take place in November due to the difficult weather conditions and Beckham is adamant that organisers will "make it work."

"Whether it's corrupt or not, those countries have been chosen.

"People need to get behind that. It's all about bringing football to new countries. I think they should stick with it."

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