Blatter : World Cup in Qatar a mistake

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has acknowledged that the decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar was a mistake.

Qatar beat the likes of USA, South Korea, Japan and Australia to the right to host the tournament, a decision that has been heavily criticised ever since it was confirmed December 2010.

Several high-profile names have voiced their concerns over the high temperatures in Qatar in summer, with a potential winter tournament long earmarked as a necessity to allow the tournament to go ahead, while allegations of bribery emerged within less than a year of Fifa's decision over the 2022 hosts.

Additionally, human rights group Amnesty International has called on Fifa to intervene following a number of reports concerning the treatment of workers in the Gulf nation.

Blatter had previously been adamant that Fifa's decision to grant Qatar the hosting rights was correct, but he has now confessed this is not the case.

"Of course it was a mistake [to award the World Cup to Qatar]," Blatter told RTS.

"But we all know that mistakes are made in life.

"Technical reports from Qatar stated that the temperature in summer is too high to play football. However, this didn't prevent the executive committee from awarding the World Cup to Qatar with a large majority."

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Ancelotti dismisses Blatter apology

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti feels Sepp Blatter's apology to Cristiano Ronaldo is of little value as he says the damage has already been done.

Blatter, 77, recently made some ill-advised remarks about the Portugal international when comparing him to Lionel Messi, leading to angry reactions from Madrid and Ronaldo.

Fifa's president has since offered his apologies for his comments, but Ancelotti is not impressed and believes the Swiss should have known better.

"Blatter's apology? The damage has been done. Sometimes it's better to think before speaking. Maybe count to 10," Ancelotti stated at a press conference, before praising Ronaldo's attitude.

"Cristiano is a very professional and serious player. He gives everything in every game. I can't ask any more from him."

The Italian coach then went on to discuss his starting XI for this weekend's game against Rayo Vallecano and revealed that he will make a number of changes to the team that beat Sevilla 7-3 in midweek, with the Champions League clash against Juventus in his thoughts.

"I'm going to make some rotations, so some players who didn't play against Sevilla will play on Saturday," he continued.

"Raphael Varane is a little tired. He's not going to play, so he can be ready for Tuesday. Xabi Alonso will start tomorrow."

Alonso made his first appearance of the season against los Rojiblancos after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

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