Speaking in Manila on the 60th anniversary of the AFC, Blatter reaffirmed Qatar's position as hosts of the 2022 World Cup, despite another wave of allegations concerning the Gulf nation's successful bid this morning.

"2022, it is Qatar, and ladies and gentleman, believe me, with all that has been said around the world by whom?" Blatter said.

"Those not involved with what happens in football.

"The World Cup in 2022 will be played in Qatar."

The long-standing President of football's world governing body was met with fierce applause by the AFC delegates in Manila as he praised the progress of football in the Asian world.

"It is the second time we will go to organise the World Cup in Asia," he added.

"The first was a lovely combination, a co hosting, between Japan and Korea Republic.

"It was a great success, a big success.

"But we have the next one.

"It will be the first time in the Arabic world but there is another competition that I would like to underline, the under 17 women's tournament in 2016.

"For the first time....we are coming with Women's World Cup in 2016 to the kingdom of Jordan.

"It is the trust and confidence of FIFA towards the Arabic world that they can organise all the competitions."

FIFA has faced increased pressure over its decision not to publish the report on investigations into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids ©Getty Images


Blatter's comments came hours after the Sunday Times in London released new information gathered by England's 2018 World Cup bid team, which provides further allegations of malpractice regarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids, although the evidence therein is circumstantial rather than actual proof.

This information was passed to a House of Commons Select Committee by the British newspaper which draws on claims by senior sources that officials connected to England's bid for the 2018 World Cup ran an intelligence-gathering operation against rival nations.

The new allegations are a continuation of a now long-running saga involving the two World Cup bidding processes.

FIFA has faced heavy criticism for not publishing the report by ethics investigator Michael Garcia following his year-long investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes.

Garcia's findings were summarised in a 42-page statement published by FIFA ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, which cleared the two winning bids, but which Garcia himself complained included misrepresentations.

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