'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Kuala Lumpur, June 4 (IANS) The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Thursday supported Qatar's right to host the 2022 World Cup despite the ongoing corruption scandal that has engulfed world football's governing body FIFA, amid calls for scrapping the Gulf country's right to host due to an alleged bribe-filled bidding process.
Swiss authorities are currently investigating the bribery allegations in the FIFA bidding process that awarded the 2018 and 2022-tournament hosting rights to Russia and Qatar, respectively.
Nine FIFA officials among 14 people were indicted by the United States' Department of Justice on corruption charges last week. AFC said in a brief statement that it reiterates its support for Qatar.
"Football is the world's game that should set itself no geographical borders. The Gulf is a true football region, with some of the world's most passionate football lovers, and Qatar is no exception," it said.
"Qatar 2022 will be the first time the West Asian region will have had a chance to show this passion to the world, during what will be only the second FIFA World Cup to be held in Asia.
"The AFC and the whole Asian football community stands with Qatar and we all look forward to hosting the World Cup, and welcoming the world."
