OIC backs Doha over World Cup

The world’s largest Muslim organization has thrown its weight behind Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, hitting back at Western criticism of the Gulf Arab state’s dealings with FIFA amid a corruption probe into world soccer’s governing body.
Swiss and US authorities are investigating both Russia and Qatar’s successful campaigns to stage the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
In a statement posted on its website, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) criticized what it said was “Western media tendentious campaigns” targeting OIC member, casting doubt on its right to host the event.
“The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stresses its support to the State of Qatar and to all that would ensure its success in hosting the World Cup, as well as to its efforts toward optimal preparations for the event,” OIC, which groups 57 countries with a combined population of some 1.5 billion people said in the statement on Wednesday.
“It applauds the level of progress reached in the preparations and welcomes Qatar’s continued preparations to host the 2022 World Cup,” it added.
US prosecutors stunned international soccer last month by indicting 14 for alleged corruption in the sport.