Qatar Athletics Federation warns of legal action over bribery claims

Qatar was recently hit with another bribery allegation when French Newspaper Le Monde accused a Qatari entity, Oryx Qatar Sport Investments (QSI), of paying nearly $3.5m to a company for hosting rights of the 2017 IAAF World Championships.

Though Doha eventually lost the race to London, it eventually won hosting rights for the 2019 event.

The Qatar Athletics Federation has reacted strongly to the report and has threatened to go to court.

The QAF, in a statement, said it had ‘no knowledge or involvement’ of the $3.5m paid to Papa Massata Diack’s Pamodzi Sports Consulting company.

“With regards to Le Monde’s article regarding wire transfers from Oryx Qatar Sport Investments to Pamodzi Sports Consulting, the QAF can confirm that they have no relationship with Oryx Qatar Sport Investments and no knowledge or involvement of the wire transfers to the named party or individual,” continued the statement.

“The QAF upholds the highest standards of ethics and we followed the IAAF's rules at every stage of our 2017 and 2019 bids to host the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. We are very disappointed to be named in these allegations.

In response, legal action is being considered and will be taken if such false allegations continue to be made against the QAF,” it went on to state.

Le Monde had alleged that two money transfers were made on October 13 and November 7, 2011. The payments came just a few weeks after Qatar had announced it would bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships.