Qatar 2022 CEO Al Khater says racist Europeans don't 'own' the World Cup
November 9 - In the latest rebuttal to the constant criticism facing host country Qatar, World Cup CEO Nasser Al Khater (pictured) has claimed the Europeans believe they have a monopoly on the tournament.
With the endless back-and-forth in the 'clash of civilizations' sparked by the impending hosting of the Gulf nation's biggest soccer event, it was Al Khater's turn to speak.
In an interview with Al Jazeera less than two weeks before the World Cup kicks off, he said: "European countries feel they have a monopoly on the World Cup. Europe has hosted 11 tournaments out of 22 tournaments, of course it refuses a country like Qatar or an Arab-Muslim country to host a tournament like the World Cup."
His remarks come as Qatari officials increasingly advance the argument that there is a targeted media campaign against the country as the Middle East prepares to stage the World Cup for the first time.< /p>
Al Khater noted: "You could say that they are highly racist considering that a country like Qatar, an Arab-Islamic country, a small country, has been able to compete with big countries that consider themselves deserve more to host this tournament.."
In 2010, Qatar won the World Cup, beating the United States in the final round of voting 14-8, but the Gulf nation has been bogged down after a decade of criticism over its record on football. human rights, its labor laws, treatment of migrant workers and discrimination against the LGBT community.
However, in the months leading up to the world final, Qatari officials became more assertive and aggressive in rebutting criticism.
Last week, in a letter that has only further fanned the flames of division and mistrust, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has moved his residence and family to Qatar, backed local organizers in an infamous letter to the 32 finalists where he asked unions and their players to focus on football and avoid political statements.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1668009585labto1668009585ofdlr1668009585owedi1668009585sni@i1668009585tnuk.1668009585ardni1668009585mas1668009585
November 9 - In the latest rebuttal to the constant criticism facing host country Qatar, World Cup CEO Nasser Al Khater (pictured) has claimed the Europeans believe they have a monopoly on the tournament.
With the endless back-and-forth in the 'clash of civilizations' sparked by the impending hosting of the Gulf nation's biggest soccer event, it was Al Khater's turn to speak.
In an interview with Al Jazeera less than two weeks before the World Cup kicks off, he said: "European countries feel they have a monopoly on the World Cup. Europe has hosted 11 tournaments out of 22 tournaments, of course it refuses a country like Qatar or an Arab-Muslim country to host a tournament like the World Cup."
His remarks come as Qatari officials increasingly advance the argument that there is a targeted media campaign against the country as the Middle East prepares to stage the World Cup for the first time.< /p>
Al Khater noted: "You could say that they are highly racist considering that a country like Qatar, an Arab-Islamic country, a small country, has been able to compete with big countries that consider themselves deserve more to host this tournament.."
In 2010, Qatar won the World Cup, beating the United States in the final round of voting 14-8, but the Gulf nation has been bogged down after a decade of criticism over its record on football. human rights, its labor laws, treatment of migrant workers and discrimination against the LGBT community.
However, in the months leading up to the world final, Qatari officials became more assertive and aggressive in rebutting criticism.
Last week, in a letter that has only further fanned the flames of division and mistrust, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has moved his residence and family to Qatar, backed local organizers in an infamous letter to the 32 finalists where he asked unions and their players to focus on football and avoid political statements.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1668009585labto1668009585ofdlr1668009585owedi1668009585sni@i1668009585tnuk.1668009585ardni1668009585mas1668009585
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