BRUSSELS, Dec 15, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday stood by his decision to visit Qatar to support France's World Cup team, despite allegations linking the Gulf monarchy to corruption in the European Parliament.

Macron was in Qatar on Wednesday night to watch France's semi-final victory over Morocco before flying to Brussels overnight to attend an EU summit in Brussels.

Belgian police investigating allegations that Qatar has been paying bribes to European politicians have arrested an MEP and three associates and charged them with corruption. Qatar denies any wrongdoing.