Updated: 26 September 2022
The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be hosted by Qatar, a country in the Middle East for the first time in the history of the game. The most anticipated tournament on the planet is scheduled to start on November 21, 2022. This will be the second time that the World Cup is being hosted by an Asian country. Earlier in 2002, Japan and South Korea were the hosts of the FIFA World Cup.
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FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Slavery Allegations
In 2013, several newspapers claimed that many workers were not given water & food. Their identity papers have been taken away and are not paid at all. They also claimed that by the time the world’s biggest tournament will be held in 2022, 4000 out of 2 million workers would die.
These claims were made after above 700 Indians & 522 Nepalese workers had died ever since Qatar won the hosting rights in 2010. In 2015 when a group of four journalists visited Qatar to check on the conditions of the migrant workers, they were arrested.
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In 2015 it was further reported that 1200 Indian and Nepalese workers had died while working on the infrastructure and real estate projects related to the World Cup. In 2016, it was reported that the laborers were being forced to work and were living in poor conditions.
In 2021, the government of Qatar increased the minimum monthly wages from 750 riyals to 1000 riyals. But the workers stated that the cost of living in the country is too high as they need to pay 300 riyals for food and another 500 riyals for food.
FIFA World Cup 2022, Corruption Allegations
Several allegations have been made about the fact that Qatar won the hosting rights by bribing FIFA officials in 2010. However, FIFA conducted an investigation and cleared that Qatar has not been involved in any sort of bribery.
In 2015, Swiss federal prosecutors opened an investigation that the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup bids involved cases of money laundering and corruption. The FIFA officials were accused of letting Qatar buy the hosting rights.
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A former FIFA official said that the African officials were paid $1.5 million by the Arab country. She withdrew her claims but later said that she was forced by the Qatari officials. In 2014 it emerged suddenly that the former CONCACAF President was paid about $2 million.
Five of FIFA’s six main sponsors including the likes of Adidas, Visa, Hyundai, Coca-Cola, and Sony, have been called for investigation for the same. FIFA’s vice-president Jim Boyce said that he would revote if the allegations made against the Qataris are proven.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Boycott
In 2021, several Danish football fans signed a petition to bring a debate in the Danish parliament for boycotting the 2022 Qatar World Cup. After some days, several football, groups, and fans in Norway urged their clubs to consider a boycott after which a discussion was held in the Norwegian Football Association.
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During the qualification games of the Qatar World Cup, several national teams were wearing shirts emphasizing ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’. The fans in Germany have asked the German Football Association (DFB) to consider a boycott.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Human Rights
Qatar has always been known for illiberal Labor laws ever since they were selected as the host nation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Qatari Government was pressured to align with the ILO (International Labour Organisation). But people still have doubts if the reforms have been fully implemented. Since homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, several media outlets expressed their concerns for the LGBT Community.
In 2020, Qatar allowed Rainbow flags for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The country’s Chief Executive for the World Cup said that Qatar would permit the consumption of Alcohol during the events. But public drinking will still be prohibited as the country’s legal system is based on Sharia.
