A day before the opening game of the World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino denounced the “double standards” of Western nations against World Cup hosts Qatar.
“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 Swiss during a press conference on Saturday (11/19/2022) in Al-Rajjan. It is “sad” to have to experience this “double standard”.
“FIFA takes care of the workers”
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 spoken out about migrant workers’ rights? None of them”said Infantino, 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.”
With regard to LGBTQ rights, the Qatari authorities also assured him that “everyone“during the World Cup”welcome” be.
“Today I feel gay”
“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 like a migrant worker.”