Gary Lineker: 2022 Qatar World Cup ‘ludicrous’

Former England striker and sports commentator Gary Lineker has said the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was "ludicrous."

“Ludicrous. I am not against it going to different parts of the world but you’d have thought they might have known it would be very hot in summer. You have to be careful what you say, but the corruption is just … yuk,” Lineker said during an interview with GQ Magazine this week.

“It makes you feel sick, actually, the whole FIFA thing, the corruption at the top level is nauseating,” he added.

The Qatar 2022 Organizing Committee did not respond to request for comment on Lineker's claims when contacted by Al Arabiya News.

The former forward also suggested that ‘clean’ countries boycott the 2022 World Cup but he acknowledged that would not happen.

The only way it might change is for the clean countries to turn around and say: “you know what, we are not taking part in your tournaments.’ But I can’t see it happening. There is too much at stake.”

In 2010, Qatar became the first Middle East Arab country to win the right to host the international sporting event that is watched by millions worldwide.

But the vote, which awarded football's biggest tournament to the tiny desert state, has been under investigation by FIFA's independent ethics prosecutor as FIFA is accused of corruption during the bid process.

Qatari organizers of the 2022 World Cup have denied recent allegations that their successful bid was corrupt.

During the interview, the former football player criticized FIFA President Sepp Blatter and described him as a dictator.

“Sepp Blatter likewise has run it like a dictatorship for so long and he comes out with so much nonsense,” Lineker said.