FIFA to question Qatar 2022 whistleblower

The FIFA president, bidding to be re-elected for a fourth term on June 1, also refused to rule out the possibility of re-staging the vote, won by Qatar, should the allegations turn out to be true.

"We have organised and the newspaper have agreed (that) we will bring this whistleblower to Zurich and then we will have a discussion, an investigation," Blatter told reporters.

Asked if that Qatar hosting decision could be reversed, Blatter replied: "This is an idea circulating already around the world which is alarming.

"Don't ask me yes or no, let us go step by step."

"I haven't identified the general whistleblower, for the time being, we have no name - if it is man, or woman," said Blatter.

"It will be the relevant authorities in FIFA which handles such cases, the secretary general (Jerome Valcke). We have to deal with this matter and solve this matter in the Congress."

"We must know if the allegations are true or not true or unproven. If they are not true, then this case is over," he said.

"Then we will see which instrument will work, it is of paramount importance that we have this situation clarified on the 27th.

"The (FIFA) ethics committee is already alerted and alarmed - they are not just lying on the beach - and the members will come for the congress and can convene at very short notice."

At the same UK parliamentary inquiry, former English Football Association chairman David Triesman accused FIFA Executive Committee members Jack Warner, Ricardo Teixeira, Nicolas Leoz and Worawi Makudi of asking for favours in return for their votes for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Blatter said he had received a letter from CONCACAF president Warner promising the North, Central America and Caribbean confederation's support in the election.