The way Qatar built their handball side "contradicts the spirit of a national team." (J. Blatter)

"The fact that sport builds social bridges and brings cultures together cannot be stressed often enough. However, what happened at this year’s Men’s Handball World Championship in Qatar (from 15/01 to 01/02/2015) stretched this notion to the point of absurdity. The hosts were represented by a team comprising an overwhelming majority of recently naturalised players. [...] This kind of scenario would not be possible in football," said Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), in the 'FIFA Weekly' dated 06/02/2015.

"The practice did not contravene International Handball Federation regulations, but it did contradict the spirit of a national team," added Blatter in a column entitled "Only genuine national teams in football" which he concluded by stressing that Qatar will not be able to build a competitive football team for the 2022 World Cup, which it will host, by "quickly naturalising players."

"Only genuine national teams in football" (full text)

The fact that sport builds social…