INFRASTRUCTURE projects related to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar are expected to gather pace after Fifa’s ethics committee gave the go-ahead for the event, rejecting corruption claims.

The committee said it could find no grounds for reopening the controversial bidding process. Fifa and Qatar World Cup organisers have been fending off allegations of corruption ever since the Gulf state was awarded the 2022 tournament. Qatar, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, has also been criticised over its treatment of migrant workers in the construction industry.

Fifa said that it welcomed the report and looks forward to continuing the preparations for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, “which are already well under way”.

Qatar is expected to spend $200 billion on various infrastructure projects including stadiums, railways and roads.