PARIS (AP) — FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne says the United States should host the 2022 World Cup if Qatar is stripped of the tournament.
Switzerland's attorney general is investigating suspected money laundering in the 2018 and 2022 bidding contests. American federal prosecutors are also investigating FIFA business, including World Cup bids.
Champagne tells French broadcaster RTL that FIFA should give hosting rights to the second-place bidder if corruption is proven in Qatar's win.
The former FIFA international relations director says: "It should not be a revote but apply the IOC's legal precedent, giving the gold medal to the silver medalist."
Qatar won the December 2010 vote of FIFA executive committee members in a five-bidder contest, finally beating the Americans 14-8.
Champagne adds "the presumption of innocence must also go to the Qataris."
