The World Cup is just around the corner, lets talk controversy!
The Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. Pic: AP
Qatar 2022 - World Cup
There are many allegations surrounding the current World Cup, they range from the weather to woman's right. Giving an impartial opinion on some of these topics is difficult, but I will try to share the facts as clearly as possible!
Corruption
Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 Men's World Cup by 14 votes to eight over the USA.
Soon after the vote FIFA started investigating Qatar for corruption, but in FIFA's own words they found "no evidence of any improper activity by the bid team". However, an American lawyer, who was involved in the investigation, found that Qatari conduct "may not have met the standards required by FIFA".
Mohammed bin Hammam was a Qatari businessman who served on the executive committee for FIFA from 1996 to 2011 and eventually became the vice president. He was banned from all football activity in 2011 by the FIFA ethics committee due to his "conflicts of interest". In 2014 it was revealed that Mr. bin Hammam made payments to various football officials totaling $5 million. People say this is evidence that he exploited his position and bribed people to give Qatar the votes needed to be the hosts.
Migrant workers
Qatar needed to build 7 new stadiums for the World Cup and the 8th stadium needed major renovations. Qatar has a population of around 2.9 million, so this meant many people involved in the construction had to come from overseas.
Qatar has a labor law known as 'kafala system' which allows businesses and Qatari nationals to confiscate passports to prevent their workers from leaving the country.
Human rights groups have said that this gives employers the ability to exploit the migrant workers by putting them in difficult working conditions for low pay, and not allowing them to return home until projects are finished.
The International Trade Union Confederation estimated the death toll at in Qatar would be at 7,000 by the time the World Cup starts. Among the main causes of death are road accidents, falls from tall structures and mechanical related issues.
Qatar argues that its 'kafala system' has partially been dismantled and the human rights allegations are unfair.
LGBT rights
Under Qatar's Sharia law same-sex partnerships are illegal. The punishments range from time in jail to death.
Qatar has stated that 'everyone is welcome' at the World Cup and the Qatari government has publicly confirmed that there are no restrictions for non-married friends or couples' staying in the same room; this includes people from the LGBT community. However there are reports that same-sex couples are still being refused bookings in hotels during the World Cup. Usually non-married couples also face severe punishment for showing in any form of intimacy. Qatari officials have said they will not change their laws, but no fans will be discriminated against during the tournament.
High profile footballers and broadcasters have voiced their concern about LGBT peoples rights in Qatar.
Treatment of women
Another Sharia law in Qatar is that women are required to get permission or be accompanied by a male guardian, either their father, brother or husband for many things like getting married, travelling or even working in the government. Women also do not have primary guardian rights for their children even if they are divorced and have legal custody.
Foreign women must also have a male guardian to get a visa and need permission to have a drivers license or work.
However, one positive step for women's rights is that at this years World Cup there will be 3 female referees for the first time!
Alcohol consumption and Accommodation
It is illegal to drink alcohol in some countries, including Qatar. Usually drinking alcohol is restricted to hotels and other locations that have a license.
But because Qatar is hosting the World Cup these locations have been extended to fan zones outside the stadiums. Alcohol will be made available for 3 hours before each kick-off and 1 hour after the final whistle, but NOT during the matches themselves.
It has been said that Qatar will use dedicated zones for drunk fans, so that they can sober up. Making rude gestures or using bad language could see fans face jail or deportation.
Speaking of hotels, the Qatar Tourism Authority said that there are approximately 33,000 hotel rooms available, but 1.5 million people are expected to travel for the World Cup.
There have been reports that cruise ships and other private apartments will be made available for the travelling fans. Another option that is being offered in Qatar is 'five-star beach camping' otherwise known as glamping. Some fans will be staying in Dubai instead, where laws are less strict for foreign tourists.
What does Qatar say?
Qatari officials have said ''We have committed every effort to ensuring that this World Cup has a transformative impact on improving lives, especially for those involved in constructing the competition and non-competition venues we're responsible for protecting the health, safety, security and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup is our priority.''
However, many nations have made comments about Qatar being the host. The Australian team released a statement criticizing Qatar's human rights record. Denmark will wear shirts that criticize the human rights record of the host nation Qatar and to honor migrant workers who died during the construction work. The captains of eight nations will wear a distinctive OneLove armband during the tournament featuring a heart with colors representing all backgrounds.
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