French prosecutors seek trial for four people over Qatar 2022 World Cup bid
France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office has requested a trial for four people investigated in the Qatargate case over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Former FIFA vice-president Reynald Temarii and Qatari businessman Mohamed Ben Hammam are among those named. The investigation focuses on payments that may have influenced the vote held in December 2010.
Byvarela5 min read
France's National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) has formally requested that four people stand trial in the Qatargate case, the investigation into the disputed awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. Named in the request are Reynald Temarii, a former FIFA vice-president and ex-president of the Oceania Football Confederation, and Qatari businessman Mohamed Ben Hammam, a central figure in the campaign that delivered the tournament to the Gulf nation. The case examines alleged corruption in the run-up to the vote held in December 2010.
- French prosecutors have requested a trial for four people in the Qatargate case.
- Reynald Temarii and Mohamed Ben Hammam are the two main figures named in the request.
- The investigation centers on funds Ben Hammam allegedly provided to Temarii after his suspension by FIFA's ethics committee.
- Those payments may have influenced votes in the selection of Qatar as host of the 2022 World Cup.
Who are the defendants in the Qatargate case
The most prominent figure in the prosecution's request is Reynald Temarii, born in French Polynesia and a long-time football administrator in the Pacific region. He served as FIFA vice-president and as president of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), positions from which he took part in the governing body's decision-making processes.
Alongside him, prosecutors have named Mohamed Ben Hammam, a Qatari multimillionaire with deep influence in Asian and world football. He previously led the Asian Football Confederation and sat on FIFA's Executive Committee. In the case against him, he appears as a central figure in the electoral strategy Qatar deployed to secure the right to host the World Cup.
The payments under investigation in France
The PNF's inquiry is focused on money Ben Hammam allegedly made available to Temarii to cover his legal defense and the appeals filed after he was suspended by FIFA's ethics committee. That sanction followed an investigation by The Sunday Times, which published claims of irregularities in the process to choose the World Cup hosts.
French prosecutors suspect the financial transactions were not simply assistance between officials, but an operation designed to influence the direction of votes in the assembly where Qatar defeated the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan. The vote on December 2, 2010 in Zurich handed the emirate the right to organize the tournament, a decision that generated controversy from the outset due to allegations of vote-buying and concerns over working conditions in the host country.
From newspaper investigation to criminal case
The Qatargate case did not begin in a courtroom, but in a newsroom. The revelations published by The Sunday Times shortly before the 2010 vote raised serious questions about the integrity of the process and led to the suspension of several FIFA Executive Committee members, including Temarii himself.
Now, more than a decade after that election, French authorities have taken a decisive step. According to information reported by Le Monde, the PNF submitted its request on August 27 for the four suspects to face trial. The final decision rests with the investigating judges overseeing the case, who must determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a full hearing.
What the 2022 World Cup case means for FIFA
The case carries implications that extend well beyond the four defendants. Qatar's selection as host of the 2022 World Cup has long been the biggest stain on FIFA's governance, an organization that already endured the worst crisis in its history in 2015 with the arrest of several senior officials in Zurich on behalf of U.S. authorities.
The Qatari tournament itself took place between November and December 2022, with Argentina crowned champions after a historic final against France. Yet the investigations into how the hosting rights were secured remain open in several countries. The French prosecution's decision marks significant progress in one of the longest-running cases tied to corruption in international football.
Frequently asked questions about the 2022 World Cup investigation
Frequently asked questions
Who are the four defendants in the Qatargate case in France?
The National Financial Prosecutor's Office has requested a trial for four people, including Reynald Temarii, a former FIFA vice-president and ex-president of the Oceania Football Confederation, and Mohamed Ben Hammam, a former Qatari official and past president of the Asian Football Confederation. The identities of the other two individuals have not been disclosed in the reports on the prosecution's request.
What was the connection between Temarii and Ben Hammam in the Qatar bid?
Temarii was one of the FIFA Executive Committee members entitled to vote in December 2010, when Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Ben Hammam was one of the key figures in Qatar's campaign to secure international support for the bid.
What is the focus of the French prosecutor's investigation?
The case examines whether Ben Hammam provided funds to Temarii to pay for his defense and the appeals against his suspension from FIFA's ethics committee, a ban that followed an investigation by The Sunday Times. Prosecutors suspect those payments may have influenced the vote that awarded the World Cup to Qatar.
Could Qatar lose the 2022 World Cup if there is a conviction?
No. The World Cup in Qatar has already taken place between November and December 2022, with Argentina lifting the trophy. Any convictions in the ongoing criminal cases could carry penalties for the defendants, but cannot change the sporting outcome or strip Qatar of a tournament that has already been played.