Asia's top Olympics official: Qatar corruption allegations driven by racism

The president of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, lashed back against reports of Qatari corruption in obtaining the 2022 World Cup. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty)

On Saturday, The Sunday Timespublished a report based on a review of emails, accounts and other documents that former Qatari FIFA vice president Mohamed bin Hammam paid out millions of dollars in order to secure the country's 2022 World Cup bid. Now, Asia's top Olympics official is coming to Qatar's defense, per an AP report.

Kuwait's Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said Thursday that the accusations were based on "no justification" and were the result of "racist actions towards Qatar and Arabs."

Sheik Ahamd also said "we will not let anyone take this tournament from us and we will hold it in this region."

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The Sunday Times' report detailed the expensive junkets Bin Hammam used to sway voters, and the outright cash payments he reportedly made to the heads of 30 African football associations.