London: The six Arab countries who last month cut ties with Qatar are reported to have written to world soccer’s governing body FIFA to demand it be stripped of hosting the 2022 World Cup because they consider the Gulf state to be a “base of terrorism”. “The FIFA president has never received such a letter and subsequently has not done any comment on that,” said a FIFA spokesman. “As already said, FIFA is in regular contact with the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy handling matters relating to the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he added. A person familiar with the Qatari government’s World Cup activities said Qatar is aware the Saudis and others are engaged in such a move but understands Qatar has not yet received the letter. People in the United States who represent and advise the Saudi government have also not yet responded to Reuters’ request for confirmation or comment.

Source: Mint July 16, 2017 12:33 UTC