Louis van Gaal doubles down on Qatar World Cup claims

Van Gaal slammed Fifa for allowing Qatar to host this year's World Cup

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has doubled down on his claims that the decision to allow Qatar to host this year's World Cup is "ridiculous" and "bull****". Earlier this week, the former Manchester United boss criticised Fifa for the controversial decision to hold the tournament in the Middle Eastern state later this year.

Van Gaal calls out 'bulls***' decision to choose Qatar.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the 70-year-old said: "I have already mentioned it in previous press conferences. I think it's ridiculous that the World Cup is there. "We are playing in a country that FIFA says they want to develop football there. That's bull****, but it doesn't matter. It's about money, about commercial interests. That matters in FIFA. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/1506204791302766592 "Why do you think I'm not on any committee at FIFA or UEFA with my expertise? Because I have always opposed these kinds of organisations. I can say that in Qatar later, but that won't help the world get rid of this problem." Now, van Gaal has insisted that he stands by his comments on the topic and suggested that he wasn't surprised that the organisation were 'denying' his words. "The only thing I said was that the reason to choose Qatar is ridicilous, to 'develop football'. That is bullsh*t. There are other reasons. The organisation is denying my words? Yes, of course they are," van Gaal said. https://twitter.com/TheEuropeanLad/status/1507351734431137798

Qatar World Cup organiser fires back at Van Gaal

However, one of Qatar's World Cup organisers has since hit back at the Dutchman for criticising the decision to hold the event in the Gulf state, suggesting that he has failed to understand the Arab world's passion for the sport. "For a person who has had many many years (as a coach) and who understands the power of football, it is ridiculous that he could actually make such a bland statement," Hassan al-Thawadi, chief executive of the World Cup Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said in an interview released by Bein Sports TV on Thursday. "I am sure that he hasn't spent a lot of time understanding what football means, not only to Qatar but to the Arab world." Thawadi also said that Qatar had demonstrated at the FIFA Arab Cup in November and December that it could host major events. Related links:

• Louis van Gaal slams ‘b*******’ Qatar World Cup decision
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