By GRAHAM DUNBAR
AP Sports Writer

GENEVA (AP) _ FIFA has heavily criticized its broadcasting partner in Germany for a documentary about World Cup hosts Russia and Qatar that was aired after a reporter revealed his filming crew had been arrested in Doha and had footage and personal data deleted.

In an unusual outburst on Wednesday, FIFA’s communications director Walter de Gregorio alleged that German network ARD distorted facts in a “bashing” of football’s governing body.

De Gregorio alleged that the program broadcast on Monday, called “Der verkaufte Fussball” (“The Selling of Football”), misreported a request FIFA that made to 2018 World Cup host Russia to modify labor legislation to benefit FIFA staff and tournament partners.