• World Cup 2022

Australia consider suing FIFA over 2022 World Cup

ESPN staff
September 18, 2013
Australia to seek compensation


Australia's football federation (AAF) has said it might sue FIFA for compensation if , as expected, the 2022 World Cup is moved to the winter. The AAF spent around £25 million on its own bid to host the event.

"Australia invested heavily in the World Cup process,"AAF boss Frank Lowy said. "Since December 2010, Australia has been careful not to let its misgivings about the process be interpreted as sour grapes.

"But now, with increasing speculation about a change that will impact on us as one of the bidding nations, and because our competition will be affected, we have made our position public."

FIFA brushed aside any suggestions of compensation, insisting that the bidding process included references to possible changes to the schedule.

The FFA asked FIFA to consider "just and fair compensation" to countries which "invested many millions, and national prestige, in bidding for a summer event".

Lowry also urged FIFA not to rush a decision on rescheduling. "Better to let the independent investigative process run its natural course and then, with those issues settled, make a clear-eyed assessment about rescheduling and its consequences."

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