FIFA President denounces Western hypocrisy in the face of criticism from Qatar | News Qatar 2022 World Cup

[ad_1]

Doha, Qatar FIFA President Gianni Infantino accused Western nations of hypocrisy saying they were unable to lecture other nations on morality hours before the kick off the World Cup in Qatar.

In a fiery press conference in the Qatari capital on the eve of the tournament, the Italian Swiss said Europe should come to grips with its past crimes before pointing the finger at Qatar.

I am European. For what we Europeans have done in the world for the past 3,000 years, we should apologize for the next 3,000 years before we start lecturing people in morality, Infantino told hundreds of reporters Saturday.

Qatar, which won the right to host the world football tournament in 2010, has been criticized for its treatment of migrant workers and its human rights record.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino accused Western critics of hypocrisy during a press conference the day before the World Cup kicked off in Qatar pic.twitter.com/AaN9QOISFn

Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 19, 2022

Infantino, son of migrant workers from Italy, said the Middle Eastern country had made progress in improving the rights of migrant workers.

I came here six years ago and addressed the issue of migrant workers directly, at my very first meeting, Infantino said, pausing and looking straight into the eyes of the assembled reporters.

How many of these European or Western business enterprises, which have earned millions and millions from Qatar and other countries in the region billions every year, how many of them have raised the rights of migrant workers with the authorities?

I have the answer for you. None of them, the FIFA chief said, adding that the one-sided moral lesson is nothing but hypocrisy.

Mexican fans gather at Souq Waqif ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar [Sorin Furcoi/Al Jazeera]

Homosexuality is illegal in the country, but Qatar said all fans are welcome to attend the showpiece event.

I spoke about this subject with the most senior leaders of the country. Several times, not once. They confirmed, I can confirm, everyone is welcome, the FIFA president said.

In remarks to reporters at the end of the press conference, FIFA media chief Bryan Swanson, who is gay, insisted that everyone is welcome in Qatar.

I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Gianni Infantino since joining FIFA, especially from the LGBTQ community, Swanson said.

I sit here in a privileged position on the world stage as a gay man here in Qatar. We have been assured that everyone is welcome and I believe everyone will be welcome at this World Cup,” he added.

Critics have also blamed Qatar, the first country in the Arab world to host the competition, for banning the sale of alcohol inside stadiums during the tournament.

Every decision that is taken in this World Cup is a joint decision between Qatar and FIFA. Each decision is discussed, debated and taken together. There will be, I don’t know how many, fan zones eight, 10, large fan zones, over 200 places where you can buy alcohol, Infantino said.

He also pointed out that this was not unusual as the consumption of alcohol in football stadiums is banned in major European countries such as France, Spain, Portugal and Scotland.

Despite some critics calling on companies to boycott the World Cup, Infantino hailed the commercial success of this year’s tournament.

We sold the media rights for about $200 million more than the last World Cup, he said. We sold the sponsorship rights for about $200 million more than the last World Cup.

And as far as ticketing and hospitality rights are concerned, we are at nearly 200 to 300 million more than the last World Cup.

Qatar will kick off the 32-team tournament on Sunday against Ecuador. Infantino said the Gulf country had done an impressive job in preparing for matches.

Doha is ready. Qatar is ready. It will be the best World Cup ever, for sure, he said.

[ad_2]