Dramatic twist in arrest of former UEFA president

Former UEFA president Michel Platini has spoken out following his arrest over the awarding of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar.

Platini was released from custody in the early hours of Wednesday after being questioned as part of a corruption investigation into the 2022 showpiece.

The legendary former player had denied any wrongdoing and French authorities did not announce any charges against the former France and Juventus star.

"It was long, but given the number of questions it could not be different," Platini said after his release.

"They asked me questions about the 2016 Euro, the World Cup in Russia, the World Cup in Qatar, the Paris Saint-Germain, FIFA."

Also questioned Tuesday were Sophie Dion, a sports advisor in former French president Nicolas Sarkozy's administration, and Claude Gueant, the former secretary general of the Elysee presidential palace under Sarkozy.

Ahead of the FIFA vote, Sarkozy hosted a meeting in November 2010 that brought Platini together with Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, then the crown prince of Qatar and now its ruling emir.

Al-Thani also owns the French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain, and Sarkozy frequently attends its games.

Qatar beat the long-favoured United States 14 to 8 when FIFA selected the host country for the 2022 tournament.

As head of European soccer's governing body UEFA, Platini was the continent's top representative on the FIFA committee that picked Qatar.

French prosecutors are known to be investigating an array of winning bids for major sports events, including the 2018 World Cup, awarded to Russia, the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo and track and field world championships.