French prosecutors have asked that four people be tried in criminal court over alleged corruption tied to FIFA’s decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. The French Financial Prosecutor’s Office is seeking trial proceedings that include disgraced former football official Mohamed Bin Hammam, a former FIFA vice-president and head of the Asian Football Confederation.
According to reporting cited by outlets, prosecutors also seek to question and try two additional individuals linked to the case: former FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii, along with consultant Jean-Charles Brisard and lawyer Geraldine Lesieur. The request comes years after FIFA selected Qatar for the tournament, a decision that has been widely described as controversial.
While the outlets provide the same core outline—that French prosecutors request a criminal trial for the same four figures—the emphasis differs. One focuses on Bin Hammam’s role and the fact the matter is being brought before a French court, while the other highlights the names of the other accused and the broader effort to pursue testimony and accountability linked to the vote’s alleged corruption.
