In denial? Qatar 2022 chief Al-Thawadi says construction fatalities are 400-500 across all sites

November 29 – World Cup boss Hassan Al-Thawadi says 400-500 migrant workers have died as a result of work carried out on construction projects, and sticks to the figure of just three work-related deaths on World Cup projects.

He said, however, that even "our fiercest critics now regard us as a benchmark in the region".

In addition to the three work-related deaths the Qataris acknowledge, they say there have been 37 non-work-related deaths on Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy projects.

One of the key questions here is what Qataris define as work-related and non-work-related deaths. There are also no figures for serious injuries or life-threatening medical conditions triggered by working conditions.

Anyway you look at it, Al Thawadi's statements are a far cry from the more than 6,500 deaths attributed to infrastructure projects by Human Rights Watch.

The Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy was speaking on TalkTV on Piers Morgan's 'Uncensored' show.

For years, the Supreme Committee (SC) has downplayed and disputed the number of deaths related to stadium construction and other World Cup projects.

"The estimate is around 400, between 400 and 500," Al-Thawadi said.

"I don't have the exact number. It's something we discuss. One death is one death too many. Plain and simple. improve, at least on our sites, the World Cup sites for which we are responsible, for sure."

The Supreme Committee then issued a statement saying, "Separate quotes regarding the figures refer to national statistics covering the period 2014-2020 for all work-related fatalities (414) nationwide in Qatar, covering all sectors and all nationalities."

The Supreme Committee also said that the figures are "documented on an annual basis in the SC's public reports and cover all 8 stadiums, 17 out-of-competition venues and other related venues within the scope of the SC".< /p>

Failure to show transparency or any form of humility on issues surrounding fatalities and working conditions has become an unpleasant feature of the Qatari organization of this World Cup.

The lack of accountability and refusal to face any version of reality other than their own will only exacerbate the problems - and those facing FIFA - in what is quickly becoming remembered as the Cup of the world based on abusive human rights.

The Qataris, who had many friends around the world when Saudi Arabia's blockade of their country was at its peak, are rapidly losing credibility and respect. Even they might not be able to buy their way out of it, especially once FIFA recovers its $7.5 billion in World Cup revenue.

The irony is that the Qataris (and FIFA) could have easily contributed to the appeal for a $440 million migrant worker compensation fund and put many problems behind them; they could have gotten themselves out of trouble.

And putting that figure into perspective, that's just a little more than the $387 million the Qataris are said to have spent on clandestine and illegal espionage activities, spying on and destroying the reputations of individuals they 'they felt was potentially dangerous for their World Cup hosting.

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