“I think what we Europeans have done worldwide for the past 3,000 years, we should apologize for the next 3,000 years before we start giving moral advice to others,” said the 52-year-old at a press conference in Al -Rayan.
It is “sad” to have to experience this “double standard”. Qatar has been criticized for years for its poor handling of human rights and the living conditions of foreign workers, which has also been voiced by independent organizations such as Amnesty International. The government of the emirate rejects this.
“How many of these Western companies that are receiving billions from Qatar here – how many of them have talked about migrant workers’ rights? None of them,” Infantino said, without giving examples. “Who takes care of the workers? Who? FIFA does it, football does it, the World Cup does it – and to be fair, Qatar does it too.”
“I don’t understand why Qatar’s progress isn’t being recognized,” said the FIFA President, who has a second home in Doha. “This way of wanting to give lessons one-sidedly is hypocritical.”
The Swiss opened his press conference with: “Today I feel very strong feelings, today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African. Today I feel homosexual. Today I feel disabled, today I feel me as a migrant worker.” For not citing feeling like a woman, Infantino apologized with a gesture and said: “I have four daughters.”
Infantino ended his speech pleadingly. “Let’s please, please, celebrate this World Cup and hope to help people smile around the world,” said the Swiss. The bottom line is that football is ultimately there for that.
Again and again he changed the pace of his speech, built in small pauses, once he picked up the soccer ball placed in front of him on the podium in the main hall of the Qatar National Convention Center. “It’s the only weapon we have,” Infantino said. His messages seemed prepared for a long time. “The world is divided enough, a World Cup is a World Cup, it’s not a war,” said Infantino. “We have to take a critical look at ourselves in the mirror.”
Infantino also assured all queer people that they are very welcome in Qatar. “It is a clear requirement of FIFA that everyone who comes here must be welcome. It doesn’t matter what religion, skin color or sexual orientation they have.” The Qatari government is sticking to it, stressed the FIFA boss.
The safety and freedom of people in the LGBTQI+ community is one of the major and worrying World Cup issues, along with the living conditions for the millions of foreign workers in Qatar. LGBT is the English abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The variants LGBTQ, LGBTQI or LGBTQIA+ are also often used. Each letter represents one’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
Infantino emphasized that changes can only be achieved through dialogue. “If someone thinks it’s enough to criticize harshly, that’s no use, that’s seen as a provocation,” said the Swiss. “The reaction will then be to close down even more.”
Change takes time, and he himself has changed his attitude towards these issues over the years. “Of course I’m convinced that it should be allowed, but I also went through a process,” he said, referring to the impending penalties for homosexuals in Qatar. According to the law, homosexuality is illegal in the country and punishable by up to seven years in prison.
FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson spoke publicly about his homosexuality after the press conference ended. “There was a lot of criticism from the LGBTQ community as well. I’m sitting here as a gay man and we’ve received this guarantee,” said the 42-year-old Briton on the podium. FIFA takes care of everyone. “I have some gay colleagues.”
Infantino had previously commented on the discussion about the short-term beer ban. He tried it with humor. A football game without beer, he thinks “that you can survive that,” said the FIFA President, emphasizing that the decision was made “together” with FIFA.
“That’s not the most important thing for me at a World Cup, if it were I would resign and go to the beach,” said the Swiss. There are 200 places in and around the capital Doha where alcohol is available. In and around the stadiums, however, only alcohol-free beer from the major sponsor Anheuser-Busch (AB InBev) is now served. “Any decision that is taken is a joint decision between FIFA and Qatar,” said Infantino. “Every decision is discussed and made together.”
The world association has agreed in principle with the US brewing company to extend the partnership until 2026, said Infantino. Then the World Cup will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The FIFA President pointed out that alcohol is not served in the stadiums in some European countries either. In Germany, sales can be restricted, for example in risky games.
Source: Nachrichten
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
