RobHarrisAP

Seems unlikely there'd be a boycott of the World Cup - either over FIFA's ethics issues or Qatar's labor rights. National football associations aren't willing to take the risk, and there is never a strong enough consensus in the anti-Blatter camp.

I can't see how FIFA could risk taking the World Cup off Qatar without the strongest of evidence that doesn't exist at the moment. Also I sense it could be seen as the West denying the Middle East its first World Cup. And given how economically important Qatar is to so many countries, like Britain, the consequences could be far-reaching. As a event, logistically it should be very smooth - if held in the winter.

FIFA has said both Russia and Qatar can proceed as normal. Can't see Qatar being stripped of the 2022 WC unless a smoking gun emerged to suggest wrongdoing that would stand up in court. Qatar is making progress - in response to criticism - improving labor rights. Potentially the only thing that could see the event moved from Qatar is unforeseen escalation of regional security issues.

To radically overhaul FIFA it would need the sponsors and broadcast rights holders to threaten to withdraw funding. Although given how the popularity of the World Cup is growing, there will be other sponsors and broadcasters waiting to snap up FIFA rights in an instant. Regarding other associations, it's usually just the English and a few others willing to speak out against FIFA. Blatter has strong support globally, in part due to the wealth he has generated for FIFA which has led to development grants being given to national associations.

I spent two weeks in Qatar last month and encountered few issues when looking into labor issues. I found we could report quite freely. The main issue on FIFA controversies are how you report corruption allegations without legal repercussions. It's why some of the most significant allegations have been made through a House of Commons select committee in the UK which has legal cover - parliamentary privilege