Former UEFA President Michel Platini arrested by French police for awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has been arrested over the awarding of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

French legend Platini was elected in 2007 and served as president until 2015 when he was banned by the FIFA Ethics Committee. French publication Mediapart claim Platini was taken into custody on Tuesday morning as part of the investigation into the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar.

Platini is reported to have been taken to the premises of the Anti-Corruption Office of the Judicial Police (OCLCIFF). Back in December 2010 Qatar was controversially revealed as the hosts of the 2022 World Cup, following on from Russia in 2018. 

A number of people have issues have arise regarding the decision to select the peninsular Arab country, including human rights concerns and the status of homosexuality. In 2014 Platini admitted holding a secret meeting with the disgraced football official Mohamed Bin Hammam, shortly before casting his vote for Qatar.