Russia, Qatar should still host World Cups — Beckham

LONDON — Russia and Qatar should still host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to David Beckham, despite being tainted by FIFA’s corruption scandals he branded as “disgusting.” FIFA has been in crisis since May when 14 executives were indicted as part an FBI investigation into corruption and last week 16 more officials were charged by US authorities. FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini are each serving a 90-day suspension while a Swiss criminal investigation into the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in Russia and Qatar was launched earlier this year. Beckham, who was part of the FA delegation aiming to win the 2018 bid for England, was asked whether the arrests and the prospect of a new president in 2016 meant FIFA was turning a corner. “No - they are just hitting the bend,” Beckham told the Radio Times. “There’s a lot still to be done. It’s such a mess that it’s going to take a while to sort out. “For me to see the game, the way it’s been treated and looked after, is devastating. It’s disgusting.” Asked about the 2018 and 2022 hosts, he said: “Whether it’s corrupt or not, those countries have been chosen,” Beckham said. “People need to get behind that. It’s all about bringing football to new countries. I think they should stick with it.” — AFP