People “cannot accept a small country from the Middle East” internet hosting the World Cup and people criticising the match are “arrogant”, Qatar’s overseas minister has informed Sky News.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani described detrimental media protection of the upcoming match as “misinformation” in an unique interview with Sky News Middle East correspondent Alistair Bunkall.
“Preaching from a distance is not a solution,” he mentioned.
“Calling to boycott the World Cup, or those who are not coming to the World Cup, it’s their decision at the end of the day, but why deprive the people and the public from attending and enjoying the World Cup.”
Asked in regards to the competing nations’ criticism of the hosts, he replied: “What type of message are they sending to their very own public?
“What about their own problems within their countries, which they are turning a blind eye? Honestly, not me or the Qatari people only, but there’s a lot of people from around the world who are just seeing this as a sense of arrogance.
“A way of people that can’t settle for a small nation from the Middle East has gained the bid to host the World Cup.”
In the 12 years since Qatar was awarded the match, issues have been repeatedly raised about its human rights report, remedy of migrant employees who constructed the stadia, and the LGBTQ neighborhood.
Its overseas minister’s feedback come after English and Welsh soccer officers mentioned they’d proceed to marketing campaign on human rights points regardless of FIFA calls for groups to remain out of politics.
Both groups have mentioned they’ll put on OneLove rainbow armbands in solidarity with LGBTQ individuals.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary normal Fatma Samoura wrote to the 32 competing nations final week, saying: “Please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”
Public affection banned between women and men too
Asked about LGBTQ supporters travelling to Qatar, Mr Bin Abdulrahman al Thani mentioned that public shows of affection are banned between all individuals – not simply same-sex {couples}.
But pressed on earlier feedback that followers will probably be allowed to carry arms, he added: “Holding hands is not a public display of affection as far as I know.”
Quizzed on the announcement FA president Prince William won’t journey to Qatar, the minister mentioned “he decided not to come because of his calendar”.
“I hope his schedule will allow, and he will come to support the England team,” he added.
Opposition chief Sir Keir Starmer is one other high-profile determine not attending.
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Why is the Qatar World Cup so controversial?
With seven of the eight stadiums constructed from scratch, human rights teams have persistently highlighted Qatar’s mistreatment of the migrant employees who constructed them.
In explicit, they’ve condemned the nation’s “kafala system” – a set of labour legal guidelines which permit Qatari people or companies to confiscate employees’ passports and cease them leaving the nation.
Reports of migrant loss of life numbers vary from a couple of dozen to a number of thousand throughout the 12 years of preparation for the match.
Asked about employee mortalities and the compensation fund that has been arrange for his or her households, Mr Bin Abdulrahman al Thani mentioned it had been “working very effectively in the couple of years”.
“Already around $350m has been dispersed last years for the workers and this proven to be effective,” he mentioned.
“If there are any issues or gaps with the execution of the current fund they should come and talk to us to improve it not to duplicate,” he added.
Source: information.sky.com”