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London • The head of the Qatar World Cup says Sepp Blatter's support for the rival United States bid for the 2022 tournament should face more scrutiny.

Qatar's FIFA backers have been criticized for seemingly ignoring the inspection report before voting for the Gulf nation in 2010.

But Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Qatar organizing committee, says then-FIFA President Blatter "wanted the U.S. to win regardless of the merits of the bid, regardless of anything else ... that needs to be looked at."

Addressing a London audience, Al-Thawadi added that "it's just fascinating that nobody is raising any concerns about that (Blatter) and looking into that ... but fair enough. I guess we will take the flak again."

The U.S. bid has not been accused of impropriety. Qatar has also denied any wrongdoing.