Qatar plans anger Fifa

BBC - Qatar are heading for a showdown with Fifa president Sepp Blatter over plans to naturalise three Brazilian players. The Qatari FA confirmed the trio, who all play for German clubs, would receive citizenship within a week. 

Ailton, Dede and Leandro will remain Brazilian while given Qatari citizenship to take in the 2006 world Cup qualifying campaign. 

Blatter said: "it is against the spirit of the game and Fifa will aim at curbing this practice." 


Ailton plays for Werder Bremen, and is set to move to Schalke next season, while Dede and his brother Leandro play for Borussia Dortmund. 

If Brazil ignore me for 2006, then I have to find another way to get there 

Werder Bremen striker Ailton 

None of the trio have made any full international appearances for Brazil and none have any previous connections with the Gulf state. 

A Qatari FA official is due to fly Germany this weekend with the necessary documents for the players to sign and an official announcement could follow early next week. 

Ailton has reportedly been offered more than 1m euros to play for Qatar, but the Bundesliga's current top scorer denied he is a mercenary. 

He said: "Money is not the decisive factor here as I earn good money at Werder Bremen. 

"If Brazil ignore me for 2006, then I have to find another way to get there." 

Qatar, managed by Frenchan Phillipe Troussier who coached Japan during the 202 World Cup, lost their opening qualifying group game 3-0 to Iran. 

They need to beat Jordan in their next match to keep their qualifying hopes alive. 

The three Brazilians will retain their original names, and will not change them like former Kenyan athlete Stephen Cherono, who won the World Championship gold medal for the 3000m steeplechase under the name of Seif Saeed Shaheen. 

Fifa is determined to prevent countries artificially boosting their national squads by providing a flag of convenience. 

A Fifa spokesman said: "We will meet with football and legal specialists to discuss the matter this week."