FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes that allegations of corruption with regards to the Qatar 2022 World Cup are based on "discrimination and racism".
Former executive committee member of the world governing body Mohamed Bin Hammam has been accused by a report in The Times of authorising payments to officials relating to Qatar's bid to host the tournament.
Despite the publication claiming that they have received a large number of documents relating to these payments, Blatter has described the allegations as a "storm against FIFA".
The 78-year-old told the Confederation of African Football Congress in Sao Paulo: "Sadly there's a great deal of discrimination and racism and this hurts me. It really makes me sad."
Suggestions have been made to remove Qatar as World Cup hosts in 2022 due to the allegations.
