Russia 2018 - Qatar 2022: the awarding of the competitions "could be invalidated" (Domenico Scala)

"If evidence should emerge that the awards to Qatar and Russia only came about thanks to bought votes then the awards could be invalidated," said Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of the FIFA Audit & Compliance on 07/06/2015. Russia and Qatar, respectively, won their bids to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 after a vote of the FIFA Executive Committee on 02/12/2010.

"The OAG (Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland) and the Swiss Federal Criminal Police will be questioning 10 persons who took part in voting on the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups as members of the Executive Committee in 2010," indicated the Swiss public prosecutor, on 27/05/2015, declaring the opening of criminal proceedings against "X" for suspicion of mismanagement and money laundering surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Data and electronic documents were seized at the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich (SUI) on 27/05/2015.

"This evidence (that Russia and/or Qatar purchased votes) has not yet been brought forth," said Domenico Scala.