Japan's football chief has apologised to Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers after he reportedly stated his country was ready to step in as replacement hosts -- and insists he fully supports the decision to stage the tournament in the emirate.
Kuniya Daini, president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), has sent an apology to Qatar 2022 claiming he was mistranslated in an interview.
In a letter to Qatar FA president Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmad Al Thani, a copy of which has been seen by Press Association Sport, Daini states: "It is a fact and a decision by FIFA that [the] 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar. We, Japan Football Association, fully support the hosting by Qatar with confidence that it will lead to further development of football in Asia.
"You will have our full support for the success of the biggest event in football."
Japan had bid against Qatar for the right to host 2022, and Tokyo is hosting the 2020 Olympics.
Daini adds in the letter: "The article... was not based on the facts or actual remarks I made during the interview.
"At the same time I wish to sincerely apologise for any inconvenience or misunderstanding this may have caused to you and all the other concerned parties."
FIFA is still looking at moving the timing of the 2022 tournament to the winter to avoid the summer heat in Qatar, and a decision is not expected until next year.
There is also an ongoing investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process by FIFA's ethics committee, headed by US attorney Michael Garcia, but it appears unlikely it will lead to either Qatar or 2018 hosts Russia being stripped of the World Cup.
Qatar has also come under fire for its treatment of migrant construction workers, with FIFA saying it was shocked by the numbers of deaths and 2022 organisers pledging several commitments to ensure better treatment.
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Torino dreaming of Europe, says Ventura
Torino coach Giampiero Ventura admitted his team have exceeded expectations in Serie A, as they look to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
The Turin-based club’s hopes of securing European football were boosted by Sunday’s 2-0 victory over lowly Udinese, which extended their unbeaten streak to five games.
Torino climbed up to sixth in the standings on 52 points, just five points adrift of Inter Milan, who occupy the fifth and final European spot with three games remaining.
This season caps a huge turnaround for Torino, who avoided relegation last campaign after finishing 16th, seven points above the drop zone.
“Let’s end the season now, then,” Ventura told Sky Sport Italia.
“We want to put ourselves up for the challenge. I will admit that from the first day of pre-season our objective was to work on a group of young and not-so-young players to create a solid group for the future.
“Clearly, now that we are up there with three rounds to go and as of today we’d be in Europe, it’s only natural that we try.
“I’m glad the fans have rediscovered the pride of cheering for the Granata.”
Ventura added: “Torino have grown in terms of mentality. We have a structure now, our own way of reading the tactical situations.
“I think that next season, based on the transfer campaign, Torino’s objective must be to do even better than this year.”
Torino end the season with trips to Chievo and Fiorentina, and a home fixture against Parma.
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