• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
FIFA given integrity alert over Qatar's warm-up games prior to World Cup

Home> Football

Updated 15:18 19 Nov 2022 GMTPublished 14:52 19 Nov 2022 GMT

FIFA given integrity alert over Qatar's warm-up games prior to World Cup

The lead-up to the 2022 Qatar World Cup has been no stranger to controversy.

Joshua Nair

Joshua Nair

As we approach the first ever winter World Cup tournament, an array of controversial headlines and decisions have shrouded what should be an exhilarating build-up.

The on-field action is certain to be some of the best we will have seen at a World Cup, but the tournament has been tainted and overshadowed by the off-field on-goings and antics.

As soon as Qatar was revealed as host for this World Cup back in 2010, the event brought about negative headlines and question marks.

Particularly, accusations of corruption to rig the bidding in their favour, questionable human rights' records, horrible news in relation to the construction of the stadiums and their treatment of the migrant workers, Qatar has not been shy of a controversial headline.

Advert

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
Xinhua / Alamy

It does seem now that the Qatari national team has been thrusted into the limelight, as FIFA have received an integrity alert about the nature of their warm-up matches for the World Cup.

According to the Daily Mail, Five of Qatar's seven warm-up games have been played behind closed doors, where an ‘unusually high’ number of penalties were awarded during these matches.

It is said that the FIFA integrity panel is working to find relevant data from the games, with many worried at the huge lack of information available to access.

Advert

However, to blindly claim that these decisions were made deliberately would be far too premature at this stage and the high volume of penalties given could be based off normal factors.

Of course, if the Qatar side are given an unusually high number of penalties at the final tournament, the FIFA higher-ups should be feeling more compelled to investigate it.

Neymar and co are favourites this year, as Brazil were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup following his injury. Image: Alamy
Neymar and co are favourites this year, as Brazil were knocked out of the 2014 World Cup following his injury. Image: Alamy

The World Cup kicks off tomorrow as Qatar and Ecuador face off in the opener, which kicks off at 4:00 pm GMT. Brazil are the overwhelming favourites according to the bookies, with Argentina and France following closely behind.

Advert

Each of these teams have a great level of depth and talent in their squads, but there is also hope that England can give the nation a similar run to the ones we witnessed in 2018 and 2021. Who will take home the Holy Grail of football though? Only time will tell.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football World Cup, Qatar, FIFA

Joshua Nair
Joshua Nair

Freelance football writer.

X

@joshnair10

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 mins ago
an hour ago
11 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • 9 mins ago

    John Terry destroys the state of modern football and names two players from his era that would never make it now

    The former Chelsea and England defender has claimed that football has become 'boring'.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Evangelos Marinakis' immediate reaction to Morgan Gibbs-White transfer saga emerges as Nottingham Forest consider legal action

    Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is unhappy with Tottenham's pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White.

    Football
  • 11 hours ago

    FIFA has banned five football kits for life that you'll never see again

    Club World Cup finalists Chelsea and PSG have been hit by FIFA’s ban on sleeve advertising rule

    Football
  • 13 hours ago

    Xabi Alonso has found the next Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid without spending anything

    The new Real Madrid boss may have uncovered a gem in the squad who could be the next Florian Wirtz.

    Football
  • FIFA and Donald Trump make bold decision amid fears 2026 World Cup could be plunged into chaos
  • Why Joao Pedro can play at Club World Cup for Chelsea as Jamie Gittens 'banned' due to strict FIFA rule
  • Donald Trump's appearance at FIFA Club World Cup final set to cost US taxpayers staggering amount
  • Chelsea fans are convinced one player needs to leave following win over Fluminense in Club World Cup