Australian government consider lawsuit to sue FIFA for $40 million loss incurred in World Cup bidding process

Australian Minister for Sports Peter Dutton

The Australian government, led by Prime Minister Tony Abbott, is considering a lawsuit against FIFA for the botched bidding process for which awarded the hosting of the 2022 FIFA World to Qatar.

The FFA (Australian Federation of Football) is planning to recoup more than $40 million from the chief governing body for a wasted bid won by the Qatari officials on the back of an alleged systematic bribery. The Australian Minister for Sports Peter Dutton said the Australian government would consider ‘options’ to claw back the money after reports that Qatari officials bribed the FIFA officials all over the world to secure the hosting rights.

Mr Dutton said the government would wait for the results of FIFA's independent investigation into the allegations football officials pocketed up to $US5 million in cash, as well as lavish gifts and free travel from former FIFA vice-president and Qatari national Mohamed bin Hammam.

Mr Dutton said: ''I think it's one step at a time and the first step is to wait and see … what the world body does. And then I think we can consider options,''

''Australia is obviously one of a number of countries that bid but I think the first step is to determine what is going to happen with Qatar.''

Qatar’s apparent foul play has become a matter of concern down under with former FFA chief David Hill saying the Rudd govt was ‘mad’ to risk public funds “when everybody knew the process was crook.”

Independent Senator Xenophon said : ''We never had a chance, taxpayers were ripped off and Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA should hang his head in shame that the bid has not yet been re-opened.''

The FFA’s bold move comes in the wake of FIFA officials manoeuvering to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during the winter months, to avoid the Arab state’s searing summer temperatures and to help cover up their misjudged decision to hand the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

FIFA can now also expect a long list of legal claims from the hundreds of professional football leagues around the world that will have their main income and showpiece competitions interrupted or even cancelled for the sake of the FIFA tournament.