Zurich (Switzerland)- In an interview published in Swiss newspapers Le Matin Dimanche and Sonntagszeitung, FIFA president said the political crisis that the Gulf state of Qatar is undergoing, has not affected its 2022 hosting of the World Cup, reported by Reuters. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in the interview that FIFA is monitoring the situation and is in contact with Qatari authorities. When asked if Qatar was in danger [of losing the hosting of the World Cup], he answered saying, "No. In any case, I am not in the habit of speculating and I'm not going to this time either." He also stated, "We are indeed facing a diplomatic crisis...But on the other hand, I am confident that the region will return to a normalized situation. The World Cup is in 2022. In five years." FIFA did, however, confirm that a team of Qatari referees has been replaced, who were scheduled to referee a qualifying match to be played on Tuesday, June 12, between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. The UAE is scheduled to play this match away from home. The original Qatari referee has been replaced by a referee from Singapore. FIFA said this decision was made by the FIFA regulating body, and not based on any request from the Emirates.
