Off-field discussion points from the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

[JaDed]

RIP ..Really unfortunate the amount of deaths of immigrants that this WC has caused.

 

[ex-q-zit]

Kenyan Stadium Guard's Death In Qatar Turns Focus On Migrant Workers

A security guard from Kenya who reportedly fell while on duty at Qatar's Lusail Stadium has died in hospital, CNN reported.

The 24-year-old Kenyan security guard, John Njue Kibue, had fallen from the 8th floor of the stadium while on duty.

"We don't have the money to get justice for him, but we want to know what happened," his sister Ann Wanjiru told CNN.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, several deaths of migrant workers in Qatar had raised concern.

One of the world's wealthiest countries, Qatar has been transformed since FIFA awarded the tournament in 2010 with a new metro, skyscrapers, highways, new universities, museums and a port built alongside seven new stadiums and one rebuilt.

British newspaper, The Guardian, set off a major storm with a report in February 2021 that 6,500 workers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka died between 2011 and 2020. This was based on official figures from the countries.

Many other media have used this to say that 6,500 people died in World Cup stadiums, fuelling wild social media conspiracy theories.

With Qatar determined to pursue its modernisation, it faces pressure from the UN's International Labour Organisation, unions and foreign governments to improve its data collection to end the controversy.

The ILO, which has had an office in Doha since 2018, called the figures "misleading" and said they had been wrongly linked to World Cup sites without proper context.

The government says the figure takes the deaths of all foreign workers over the decade "and attributes it to the World Cup. This is not true".

An ILO report said there were 50 deaths and 500 serious injuries among foreign workers in 2020.

The UN agency said the figures could be under-reported because of data weaknesses.

NDTV

 

[James]

Quite a few deaths. RIP

 

[James]

<b>Grant Wahl update: Journalist died from ruptured aortic aneurysm at World Cup</b>

Grant Wahl died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm while working at the World Cup in Qatar, says his widow.

The journalist collapsed in a World Cup press box during the Argentina-Netherlands quarter-final on Friday.

The 48-year-old American had described feeling pressure in his chest in the days leading up to the game.

His wife Celine Gounder said an autopsy performed by the New York City Medical Examiner's Office concluded there was nothing untoward in his death.

"Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium," she said on Wednesday.

A ruptured aortic aneurysm is when a bulge or swelling in the main artery that carries blood away from your heart tears, stopping blood being pumped around the body.

"The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms, " added Gounder, who is herself a doctor.

"No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him. His death was unrelated to Covid. His death was unrelated to vaccination status.

"There was nothing nefarious about his death."

Gounder thanked the world of sport for the tributes to her late husband.

His death prompted messages from various leading figures in American sports, including some of the United States team he had been covering in Qatar.

"While the world knew Grant as a great journalist, we knew him as a man who approached the world with openness and love," Gounder added.

"Grant was an incredibly empathetic, dedicated, and loving husband, brother, uncle, and son who was our greatest team-mate and fan. We will forever cherish the gift of his life; to share his company was our greatest love and source of joy."

Earlier in the tournament Wahl said he was stopped from entering the United States' group match against Wales because he was wearing a T-shirt in support of same-sex relationships, which are illegal in Qatar.

He had also accused Qatari organisers of apathy and indifference over migrant worker deaths around the tournament.

The rights and welfare of migrant workers in Qatar have been the focus of international criticism, with differing claims over the number of deaths.

Wahl wrote in the earlier part of last week that he had been to a hospital in Qatar and been told it was likely he had bronchitis.

— BBC News

 

[sweep_shot]

RIP ..Really unfortunate the amount of deaths of immigrants that this WC has caused.

Do people not die in other countries?

 

[Technics 1210]

Do people not die in other countries?

Exactly, the deaths in Qatar are more sensationalised for obvious reasons.

 

[JaDed]

Do people not die in other countries?

Immigrant deaths involved directly with WC.

Irrespective I’m also responsible as I watched the WC after 10 years.

 

[sweep_shot]

Immigrant deaths involved directly with WC.

Irrespective I’m also responsible as I watched the WC after 10 years.

Do immigrants or workers not die in other countries?

What about worker rights in India? We know how Dalits are treated in India.

Not just India but all third world countries are like this. Even first world countries sometimes have exploitations.

 

[sweep_shot]

Qatar is being singled out because it is a conservative Muslim country. There was no such outrage (not to this extent) when World Cup happened in Russia.

It is simply Islamophobia. Nothing else.

 

[JaDed]

Do immigrants or workers not die in other countries?

What about worker rights in India? We know how Dalits are treated in India.

Not just India but all third world countries are like this. Even first world countries sometimes have exploitations.

In which other country they die at these numbers related to a tournament?
And how many Qatari citizens died while working? (I don’t wish anyone to die of working but most of them are immigrants )

FYI Qatar is not developing country it has highest per capita income, that’s why they are getting singled out, every other “developed” country has way better quality of life as a immigrant.

Also Indians died here, if they die in such numbers in other countries would post the same.

Irrespective as i said im responsible as well. I made a conscious choice of watching majority games.

 

[KingKhanWC]

In which other country they die at these numbers related to a tournament?
And how many Qatari citizens died while working? (I don’t wish anyone to die of working but most of them are immigrants )

FYI Qatar is not developing country it has highest per capita income, that’s why they are getting singled out, every other “developed” country has way better quality of life as a immigrant.

Also Indians died here, if they die in such numbers in other countries would post the same.

Irrespective as i said im responsible as well. I made a conscious choice of watching majority games.

By this logic, you are also responsible for all rapes, torture and murders in Kashmir by Indian troops. In fact you are more responsible as you have some power in selecting your government and esp since you never condemn these atrocities.

 

[sweep_shot]

In which other country they die at these numbers related to a tournament?
And how many Qatari citizens died while working? (I don’t wish anyone to die of working but most of them are immigrants )

FYI Qatar is not developing country it has highest per capita income, that’s why they are getting singled out, every other “developed” country has way better quality of life as a immigrant.

Also Indians died here, if they die in such numbers in other countries would post the same.

Irrespective as i said im responsible as well. I made a conscious choice of watching majority games.

Why the emphasize on tournament? LOL.

So, outside of tournament, death doesn't matter?

This selective outrage reminds me of KONY 2012.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Meanwhile some Germans are slowly but surely becoming Nazis again.

FIFA World Cup: German TV channel criticised for their ‘racist’ coverage of Morocco’s team
Welt, one of Germany's most popular TV channels, made 'Islamophobic' remarks.

Germany’s TV channel, Welt, has received severe backlash for its "racist" depiction of Moroccan players. One of their hosts said that the Atlas Lions are "posing with [the] Islamic State gesture" after their victory against Portugal in the quarter-finals, reports the Middle East Eye and Morocco News.

The clip shows three players from the Morocco team holding their country’s flag between them, and raising their index fingers. This is a sign that Muslims have been using for 1400 years during celebrations as it serves as a reminder of the oneness of God and an affirmation of faith.

Welt is one of Germany's most popular TV channels, and during the segment, they said that the image of Moroccan players pointing their fingers to the sky has caused "irritation" because it's the "salute" the Islamic State (IS) uses after their victory. It further suggested that the players did not know the significance of the gesture. Welt further said that the "Free Palestine" chant by football fans also implies the "destruction of Israel".

Of the many people who accused the TV channel of racism, one is German journalist Tarek Bae, who said that they are "fabricating" the connection with IS. He said that Moroccan players are aware of the gestures meaning, which "racists in the world do not," and "this inflammatory reporting around the world causes irritation.”

https://me.mashable.com/culture/229...ed-for-their-racist-coverage-of-moroccos-team

Keep your mouths closed just like your team did before flying back home before the hummus was ready.

 

[JaDed]

By this logic, you are also responsible for all rapes, torture and murders in Kashmir by Indian troops. In fact you are more responsible as you have some power in selecting your government and esp since you never condemn these atrocities.

Yes.. I have already said I’m glad I’m not an elected official of my country(India), it would be mess with every state becoming a country.

Do you think I would vote for BJP? Plz see how much BJP ever won in Tamil Nadu lol

 

[JaDed]

Why the emphasize on tournament? LOL.

So, outside of tournament, death doesn't matter?

This selective outrage reminds me of KONY 2012.

There are many deaths outside the WC as well in Qatar , reason is I’m no way encouraging that, with the WC I’m viewing it with all the excitement as i have since childhood.

Also the thread is about issues with the WC..

 

[KingKhanWC]

Yes.. I have already said I’m glad I’m not an elected official of my country(India), it would be mess with every state becoming a country.

Do you think I would vote for BJP? Plz see how much BJP ever won in Tamil Nadu lol

If watching games makes you responsible why not being an Indian make you responsible too?

My point is you are not responsible for either. If you really believed this , you wouldnt watch matches.

Over 10 years people will die for all sorts of reasons, unless one investigates each death there is no proof most died due to working conditions.

 

[SalimBhai]

Qatar is being singled out because it is a conservative Muslim country. There was no such outrage (not to this extent) when World Cup happened in Russia.

It is simply Islamophobia. Nothing else.

Please tell us how many people died in Russia and how many is Qatar and how many in London. Do you know the numbers

 

[SalimBhai]

Close to 6500 people died in Qatar, almost all immigrants during the construction. Would be very interested in knowing how many died in Russia and the host nation before Russia

 

[Firebat]

Grant Wahl: Journalist died from ruptured aortic aneurysm at World Cup

Grant Wahl died from a ruptured aortic aneurysm while working at the World Cup in Qatar, says his widow.

The journalist collapsed in a World Cup press box during the Argentina-Netherlands quarter-final on Friday.

The 48-year-old American had described feeling pressure in his chest in the days leading up to the game.

His wife Celine Gounder said an autopsy performed by the New York City Medical Examiner's Office concluded there was nothing untoward in his death.

"Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium," she said on Wednesday.

A ruptured aortic aneurysm is when a bulge or swelling in the main artery that carries blood away from your heart tears, stopping blood being pumped around the body.

"The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms, " added Gounder, who is herself a doctor.

"No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him. His death was unrelated to Covid. His death was unrelated to vaccination status.

"There was nothing nefarious about his death."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63973929

 

[GoodAlien]

why should we learn from west about human rights .

 

[Champ_Pal]

No real Qatari will work in that hellish heat in Qatar. They import cheap labor from third world dirt poor countries. They just sign up for a extreme job and hope for the best.

Once the migrant worker lands there, they become Qatari slaves. They are pretty much held there against their will.

 

[SalimBhai]

why should we learn from west about human rights .

I think a person should be open to learn from anybody, east , west or south or whatever . Having said that in our times the west had the better human rights ( within their own countries ). Sure we can find faults in them. Plenty . But compare to the rest they are better. That’s why our parents moved here. And that’s why we are still here

 

[sweep_shot]

No real Qatari will work in that hellish heat in Qatar. They import cheap labor from third world dirt poor countries. They just sign up for a extreme job and hope for the best.

Once the migrant worker lands there, they become Qatari slaves. They are pretty much held there against their will.

LOL at Qatari slaves.

If it is really bad, why do they go for works in Qatar? They can remain in their native countries.

 

[SalimBhai]

LOL at Qatari slaves.

If it is really bad, why do they go for works in Qatar? They can remain in their native countries.

They are like slaves. Because it pays better than their home country and they can feed their families.

 

[SalimBhai]

They are like slaves. Because it pays better than their home country and they can feed their families.

I have lived in dubai and my father was a civil war ngineer/architect in a firm. The labor was treated like slaves. One of the reason my father leery a cushy job in Uae and moved to the USA in his 50s and start all over running a Gas station was because he wanted to be treated like an equal and not a slave ( my father was the ceo so he was not treated like the labor class but he was not treated like an equal ). This is not a unique story. Plenty of stores on the net about this issue.

 

[Champ_Pal]

LOL at Qatari slaves.

If it is really bad, why do they go for works in Qatar? They can remain in their native countries.

Confiscating the poor workers passport upon arrival and not giving it back to them. Making them work like donkeys in inhumane conditions is slavery.

Some work for several years and in spite of that, they have no rights in that country. I know you will defend this too.

 

[sweep_shot]

Confiscating the poor workers passport upon arrival and not giving it back to them. Making them work like donkeys in inhumane conditions is slavery.

Some work for several years and in spite of that, they have no rights in that country. I know you will defend this too.

I do not defend oppression.

However, the question is, how much of it is true and how much is propaganda?

I hope Qatar will address these issues but I feel like there is a propaganda war going on against them (Qatar).

 

[kamz]

Kenyan Stadium Guard's Death In Qatar Turns Focus On Migrant Workers

A security guard from Kenya who reportedly fell while on duty at Qatar's Lusail Stadium has died in hospital, CNN reported.

The 24-year-old Kenyan security guard, John Njue Kibue, had fallen from the 8th floor of the stadium while on duty.

"We don't have the money to get justice for him, but we want to know what happened," his sister Ann Wanjiru told CNN.

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, several deaths of migrant workers in Qatar had raised concern.

One of the world's wealthiest countries, Qatar has been transformed since FIFA awarded the tournament in 2010 with a new metro, skyscrapers, highways, new universities, museums and a port built alongside seven new stadiums and one rebuilt.

British newspaper, The Guardian, set off a major storm with a report in February 2021 that 6,500 workers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka died between 2011 and 2020. This was based on official figures from the countries.

Many other media have used this to say that 6,500 people died in World Cup stadiums, fuelling wild social media conspiracy theories.

With Qatar determined to pursue its modernisation, it faces pressure from the UN's International Labour Organisation, unions and foreign governments to improve its data collection to end the controversy.

The ILO, which has had an office in Doha since 2018, called the figures "misleading" and said they had been wrongly linked to World Cup sites without proper context.

The government says the figure takes the deaths of all foreign workers over the decade "and attributes it to the World Cup. This is not true".

An ILO report said there were 50 deaths and 500 serious injuries among foreign workers in 2020.

The UN agency said the figures could be under-reported because of data weaknesses.

NDTV

So UN is paid and funded by qatar? Why are they saying misleading and wrongly linked and out of context.

I think the truth lies in data. What is the average no of deaths outside the world cup in gulf countries and Qatar. So is it at the same level? When the data is normalised? Perhaps that would put the discussion to rest.

What is the average no of deaths in other countries when world cup was hosted such as Russia or a country that has a high construction output. And what is the average no of deaths outside of that period? If there is a spike in high construction output period. Perhaps theres a question there on the regulatory side of construction sector? And if the median average is at the same level then again that puts the discussion to rest

 

[SalimBhai]

As per one of your posts, your father was an atheist. You are an atheist too if I am not wrong (correct me if I am wrong).

Atheists obviously may not like gulf states. In that case, they should move to radical liberal California. They may have a good time there.

We did move,. And we love it.

 

[MenInG]

Problem is people still can't get around the fact that Qatar have been able to host a successful tournament.

On my trip to Doha I met the BBC Sports team who told me what a wonderful experience this was.

Of course they cant say it on radio because of you know who types sitting around but

1. No hooligans
2. No Alcoholics ruining it for everyone
3. Great Stadia
4. World class transport
5. Friendly staff/officials on immigration

What an amazing event and well done to Qatar.

As for those with stories about inequalities in the Middle East, just like UK of 50's and USA of the same time, things have moved on

Expatriates are paid and treated at par in offices - Indians and Pakistanis are earning well as never before. None of them wants to go back to their countries.

 

[MenInG]

'Everyone is free to express beliefs in a respectful way'

More from Gianni Infantino, who is asked about his second term, and Fifa's ban on the OneLove armband: "Fifa is an organisation of 211 countries around the world. I am very proud that over 200 countries have expressed their support to me and to the others I am very grateful as well.

"There are many different concerns in different countries. There are many different cultures and as Fifa we have to take care of everyone.

"We don’t have to discriminate against anyone, whatever regime and values, they have to come together. When it comes to regulations, prohibitions, it is not about prohibiting, it is about respecting regulations. Everyone is free to express beliefs as long as it is done in a respectful way but when it comes to the field of play, you need to respect and protect football.

"There are 211 football teams, not heads of state, and their fans want to come and enjoy football. This is what we are here for. I believe we are defending values, defending human rights, defending rights of everyone in Fifa, in the World Cup.

"But I also believe these fans who come to the stadium and all those billions watching on TV maybe – and we should think about that – they feel everyone has their own problems, they just want to spend 90 minutes without having to think about anything else than just enjoying a little moment of pleasure, joy or emotion.

"That is what we have to do – we have to give a moment in time where they can forget their problems and enjoy football.

"Between competitions, outside of the game everyone can express their views, but for 90 minutes let's give this moment of joy."

 

[MenInG]

"For me as a woman on my own, it feels safer without alcohol in the stadiums. I just don't like it when everyone is drunk."

Bete Basica has travelled from Sao Paulo to Qatar to support Brazil at the World Cup. She's come to Souq Waqif - the central marketplace in Doha - to buy some souvenirs before she heads home.

A huge football fan, Ms Basica writes about the game and has recently taken a football management course. She has travelled on her own for the tournament, and fondly remembers the "magical" time in her home country during the 2014 World Cup it hosted.

Speaking to the BBC, Ms Basica says the experience is very different in Qatar.

"Sometimes I'm the only woman in the metro," she says. "I get many 'looks' - but that's it.

"You read many things about [the region], that it's very dangerous for women. But I feel respected by everyone and I had no problem being here on my own."


The decision to hold a World Cup in Qatar has been controversial, with critics pointing to the country's human rights record and treatment of migrant workers used to build an entire tournament infrastructure.

Female workers spoke to the Guardian about the harassment they have experienced in the hospitality industry, and a Qatari woman who lives in the UK told the BBC about the impact of religious conservatism on her mental health.

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The marketplace of Souq Waqif has become World Cup fan-central. While it has always been the buzzing part of normally quiet Doha, the vibe is different now. For one, it's much more crowded; the supporters and flags of the teams playing on any given day have tended to take over.

The restaurants are busy and the smell of shisha (hookah) mixes with that of chargrilled meat. But one thing you won't find here is alcohol. Its sale is strictly limited and controlled here in Qatar - a conservative, Muslim country.

Why is the Qatar 2022 World Cup controversial?

The consumption of alcohol is also banned in locations such as Souq Waqif, a Qatar market
Just two days before the opening ceremony, it was announced that alcohol would not be sold to fans inside the stadiums, though there are specific areas in fan zones where you can drink.

Argentina fan Karen Retamal says, despite the limited access, she and her friends have been able to get a drink every day since they've been here - but she does prefer the dry stadiums, especially for her group.

"We're from Argentina. We live football," she laughs. "And when we lose, I do prefer that there's no alcohol."

Ms Retamal remembers how frustrated and angry fans were when Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia in their opening group match.

"When the game finished, they [Saudi fans] kept coming to us and saying: 'Where is Messi? Where is Messi?' We were really sad and angry," she said.

Ms Retamal believes that had those emotions been exacerbated by alcohol, the situation could have been very tense.

However, she says she has generally felt at ease moving around between venues during the tournament.


Karen Retamal says she and her friends have been able to buy drinks
It is a contrast to how the showpiece match of the last major men's football event played out.

The Euro 2020 final was held at Wembley, and the disorder outside the stadium was broadcast around the world. Fans who experienced it told the BBC how unsafe they felt, and a review described it as a "national day of shame" for England.

In an attempt to avoid clashes between fans and local law enforcement, a number of British police officers were deployed to Qatar to act as "cultural interpreters" between fans and law enforcement, while Turkey and Pakistan also provided their own security.

From the start, this has been billed as a family-friendly tournament. That is evident at matches; parents with children of all ages can be seen with flags in their hands, with some in tears if their team loses. Many have said the lack of alcohol in the stadiums has contributed to the child-friendly atmosphere.

The sale of alcohol is strictly limited and controlled in Qatar including in stadiums
Jolanta Bhandu is Polish and has watched her team's games with her husband Hamlesh and two children, Ben and Maya.

"We prefer the lack of alcohol, especially when we go to the stadium with the children," she says. Most of the time, her team's crowd is the minority, "so we'd prefer to have sober people at the stadium", she laughs.

The Bhandu family have come to cheer on Poland
Francesca Ramsey, from Malta, has travelled with her husband.

"We love sports events," says Ms Ramsey, who also went to the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

"It's very different. Here, I feel the need to cover up more, but I don't have a problem with that. I respect the culture."

Ms Ramsey seems a bit disappointed by the limited access to alcohol here.

"I like to have a glass of white wine - possibly two or three," she laughs, before adding that you do see better behaviour in the stadiums.

"We're used to a drink. I would've liked a glass of wine at the stadium. It's a time when you want to shout, scream and have a drink."

The last-minute alcohol ban raised questions about the decision-making of football's world governing body Fifa, and its sway - or lack of - over the host country.

But for the local population, it was seen as the country's leadership staying true to Muslim rules and norms that the vast majority of people in Qatar abide by - and the ban may have made the World Cup more accessible for many locals, who probably would have opted out otherwise.

Despite the crowds, some fans have chosen to stay away, with the decision to stage the World Cup in a country where homosexuality is illegal heavily criticised. A transgender Qatari woman told BBC News about the fear she lives in, while Amnesty has said women in Qatar face discrimination in law and practice, with them needing a guardian's permission for "key life decisions".

One of the most noticeable things here has been the number of local women, especially young ones, in the stadiums - be it Qatari women or residents who have lived here most of their lives.

Salma Ahmed says one of the reasons she and her relatives have felt comfortable to go is the fact there is no alcohol.

"I wasn't thinking about going to the stadiums before - but after the ban, I actually wanted to go," she says.

"I'm a huge fan of football, so it's been a great experience."

 

[sweep_shot]

Problem is people still can't get around the fact that Qatar have been able to host a successful tournament.

On my trip to Doha I met the BBC Sports team who told me what a wonderful experience this was.

Of course they cant say it on radio because of you know who types sitting around but

1. No hooligans
2. No Alcoholics ruining it for everyone
3. Great Stadia
4. World class transport
5. Friendly staff/officials on immigration

What an amazing event and well done to Qatar.

As for those with stories about inequalities in the Middle East, just like UK of 50's and USA of the same time, things have moved on

Expatriates are paid and treated at par in offices - Indians and Pakistanis are earning well as never before. None of them wants to go back to their countries.

Nice.

I think Qatar has hosted the greatest World Cup of all time. That's how it should be done moving forward to avoid hooliganism and other disorderly behaviors.

 

[sweep_shot]

German media is still being salty. They need to get a life.

Ali Dawah grilled the German media and rightly so.

 

[SalimBhai]

Ali dawah a joke of a person. Nobody cares what he had to say.

 

[sweep_shot]

Ali dawah a joke of a person. Nobody cares what he had to say.

Ali Dawah has close to 1-million follower on YouTube. He is not some random nobody.

You oppose him because you have a problem with Islam and traditional values.

Also, please look at the message and not the messenger.

 

[Browncaps]

A good article which illustrates what a safe, clean and advanced world cup looks like.

Qatar World Cup: Fans hope prayer rooms, halal food and clean toilets become norm

Islamic-based teachings and practices have been highlighted during first cup finals held in the Middle East, an approach that could serve as blueprint for future events

For a seasoned football fan like Rasheed Wihaib, 29, the Qatar World Cup has been a breath of fresh air.

The world's eyes have been focused on the gas-rich nation these past four weeks as an estimated one million fans descended on Doha for the first cup finals to be held in the Middle East.

For Arab and Muslim fans who have thronged to Qatar, having the football tournament in the region was seen as a major milestone and a source of pride.

While the media's focus has been squarely on Qatar's suitability as hosts, for the lovers of the beautiful game, Doha's streets and historic souq Waqif market provided countless moments illustrating football's power in bringing people together.

"I've been to hundreds of games in England. But if I want to bring family, it depends how rowdy I think it will get," Wihaib told Middle East Eye.

"It's quite common for people to drink [alcohol] all through the day before kick off."

Wihaib, a British-Iraqi software engineer and a Muslim, had no concerns over Qatar hosting the tournament, despite much noise over the prohibition of alcohol inside stadiums.

Just two days before the opening ceremony, authorities announced that alcohol would not be sold to fans inside the stadiums, though there were specific areas in fan zones where you can drink.

Instead, Wihaib said he enjoyed the novelty of being able to enjoy a halal burger during matches.

"It was nice to see that, as much as we want European fans to embrace Muslim and Arab culture, the Qataris were embracing the western football culture in their own way, too," he said, pointing at the availability of halal hot dogs and non-alcoholic beers.

At the fan village he is staying at in the district of Mesaimeer, southwest of Doha,Wihaib attends the mosque daily, praying alongside football fans from Saudi Arabia, Morocco and beyond.

He also eats with fellow matchgoers, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, whatever time of day or night it is.

"The kebab shops here are open past 4am. It really is like a halal spin on your standard night out in the UK!" he jokingly said.

For thousands of football fans like Wihaib, the tournament has been a rare opportunity to enjoy the highest level of the sport in a Muslim-majority country, with prayer facilities, halal food, and Islamic history and culture on full display.

Fans learn about Islam
From the outset of the opening ceremony last month, the Qatari organisers made a point of emphasising the importance of Islam.

In an on-stage exchange with veteran actor Morgan Freeman about tackling divisions and disagreements, young Qatari YouTuber Ghanim al-Muftah quoted a passage from the Quran to explain Islamic teachings on finding "beauty in our differences".

Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) were also spotted around Doha ahead of the tournament.

"The call to prayer, open prayer spaces, the respect and importance of family, and the [hadiths] on billboards... all contribute to dispelling myths and laying the foundations for a new narrative post-World Cup," Ebadur Rahman, founder of Nujum Sports, which empowers and supports Muslim athletes, told Middle East Eye.

The sights and sounds of Doha have undoubtedly piqued the curiosity of non-Muslim visitors to the World Cup.

At the Museum of Islamic Art, one of Qatar's major tourist attractions, supporters wearing the colours of Mexico, South Korea and Croatia among others crowd around and take pictures of ancient Quranic manuscripts dating back over a millennium.

And as the call to prayer echoes around the Qatari capital five times a day, inquisitive fans turn up to mosques to learn more, including at the Fanar Masjid, near the popular marketplace Souk Waqif.

"It's amazing to see," Bangladeshi-born Doha resident Mahi Hussain told MEE outside the mosque. "The World Cup has been an opportunity for people all around the world to learn about Qatar, but also to learn about Islam.

"I just had a nice conversation with a group of Argentinians about how we pray, and about our shared belief in God. We talked about football as well."

Staff at mosques have made a conscious effort to teach people about Islam during the tournament.

Outside several places of worship, such as the Masjid of Katara in a popular cultural tourist complex, they sit with pamphlets about the pillars of Islam and willingly answer questions.

There's even an opportunity for male fans to dress up in traditional thobes and women to try on the hijab and abaya.

'Spirit of inclusivity'
Symbols of Islamic faith were seen on the pitch too: several of the participating teams, particularly those from Asia and Africa, have Muslim-majority populations.

Morocco, who became the first African team to make it to a World Cup semi-final, captured the hearts of millions of Muslims around the world with their public displays of faith.

Before their penalty shoot-out against Spain in the last 16, the players were filmed reciting Al-Fatiha, the first surah in the Quran and which Muslims recite on a daily basis during prayers.

The Atlas Lions' stars also frequently prostrated in worship and gratitude to God when they won matches, but also notably after they were defeated by France.

"For young Muslim football fans, seeing a whole team scoring and then going down for sujood [prostration] is a big thing," said Wihaib.

"I'm not a huge fan of making Muslim athletes ambassadors of the faith... but this is significant, no doubt."

Many fans and social media users have even credited Morocco's success to the love and prayers of their mothers.

"Like other sporting legends such as Khabib [Nurmagomedov], Mo Salah, and Muhammad Ali, the Moroccan team have shown the true spirit of 'Muslimness'," said Rahman.

"And what a way to manifest such a feeling and sentiment - to dance with your mother and show her your appreciation and love."

Rahman's UK-based organisation, Nujum Sports, set up a Muslim Athletes Charter to provide guidance to clubs and leagues to help look after the religious needs of its athletes. The charter has been signed by several Premier League clubs and British sports organisations.

"This tournament has proved that we can challenge the status quo and try different things," he said.

"We can incorporate culture, food and festivities in a positive way with a spirit of inclusivity and learning."

That inclusivity has come in unexpected ways: one popular YouTuber was mind-blown by the shattaf toilet bidet sprayers he found all around Qatar. It's use is a form of istinja, the Islamic obligatory practice of cleaning oneself with water after using the loo.

"I am absolutely horrified we only use toilet paper in the UK," influencer David Vujanic said.

Football didn't come home to England, but perhaps a new form of bathroom hygiene popular in the Islamic world might instead.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/qatar-world-cup-muslim-teachings-make-mark

 

[The_KING]

More anti Qatar / anti Arab sentiments from Gary Linekar and co. BBC should be ashamed of themselves.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gary Linekar just couldn’t help make his shady remarks about a gown that was given to Messi out of respect and honouring him. <a href="https://t.co/zFcJNQTYi0">pic.twitter.com/zFcJNQTYi0</a></p>— Abu Hafsah (@AbuHafsah1) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbuHafsah1/status/1604583422286077954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Technics 1210]

Qataris own PSG, and Messi plays for PSG. The black gown, or known as a Bisht, is an Arab custom and is given as a mark of respect, either that or Messi was paid to wear it by his Qatari owners.

Either way, BBC and that Gary Lineker need to be educated, and come next World Cup, I will be boycotting the BBC if this muppet is still hosting the BBC WC show.

 

[sweep_shot]

More anti Qatar / anti Arab sentiments from Gary Linekar and co. BBC should be ashamed of themselves.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gary Linekar just couldn’t help make his shady remarks about a gown that was given to Messi out of respect and honouring him. <a href="https://t.co/zFcJNQTYi0">pic.twitter.com/zFcJNQTYi0</a></p>— Abu Hafsah (@AbuHafsah1) <a href="https://twitter.com/AbuHafsah1/status/1604583422286077954?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This is racism from them. They can't seem to tolerate something different.

 

[The_KING]

This is racism from them. They can't seem to tolerate something different.

One thing this tournament has shown is the true colours of certain people.

 

[sweep_shot]

One thing this tournament has shown is the true colours of certain people.

Indeed.

When they have a problem with a simple robe, you know where the issue is.

 

[sweep_shot]

Here's an American fan giving his honest feedback regarding Qatar. He seems to be quite content with how everything went during Qatar World Cup.

 

[Technics 1210]

Lets address the elephant in the room.

The West were totally against the WC in Qatar, at every level, no need to go into details.

Now that Messi has a WC medal, note, not Argentina winning, but Messi, all those complaints, criticisms, and virtue signalling, are history, because Messi has a WC medal at the most controversial WC in history.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Funny they didn't care about the atture and equipment made in Asian sweatshops. Huh

 

[happydavy]

I went to watch eng-france match and the arrangements were fairly ordinary. In the stadium, there was hardly anything to eat (just 3 food items apart from chips). So from that perspective, it wasn't much fun with hardly any food and no alcohol. I don't have much issues wrt human rights because all countries are equally bad, it's a rich vs poor world everywhere. Europe is smart that its human rights friendly in their own countries but carry out all kinds of abuses in Africa mineral rich countries. Most criminals from outside Europe (Asia/Africa) can live in UK freely if they bring money with them, the legal system will prevent them from getting extradiated. So no country is saint, in every part of the world it's basically about people with money and the ones who don't have it.

 

[sweep_shot]

I went to watch eng-france match and the arrangements were fairly ordinary. In the stadium, there was hardly anything to eat (just 3 food items apart from chips). So from that perspective, it wasn't much fun with hardly any food and no alcohol.

3 food items are not too bad. How much food do you really need?

You go to watch game; not eat.

 

[happydavy]

3 food items are not too bad. How much food do you really need?

You go to watch game; not eat.

Speak for yourself when you say 3 food items are enough and that enjoying good food is not part of stadium experience for you. When all you have is 3 types of cold fatayer
(lamb, beef, spinach) to chose from then it's not enough for me or my friends. Esp. when the stadium is 90 mins from city and by the time you get back to city by 2:30 am and all food outlets are closed, then it translates to a pretty bad experience. Now i know Qatar had thrown a few dollars to Pakistan for the cops they hired from pakistan for the event, but that doesn't mean you have to defend Qatar for no rhyme or reason.

 

[sweep_shot]

Speak for yourself when you say 3 food items are enough and that enjoying good food is not part of stadium experience for you. When all you have is 3 types of cold fatayer
(lamb, beef, spinach) to chose from then it's not enough for me or my friends. Esp. when the stadium is 90 mins from city and by the time you get back to city by 2:30 am and all food outlets are closed, then it translates to a pretty bad experience. Now i know Qatar had thrown a few dollars to Pakistan for the cops they hired from pakistan for the event, but that doesn't mean you have to defend Qatar for no rhyme or reason.

A lot of people who were at the stadiums only have good things to say.

You are salty because it is a Muslim country. Nothing else. If this was an Eastern European country, you probably wouldn't have said anything.

BTW, Qatar employs many of your fellow Indians.

 

[James]

<b>Row between head coach Gregg Berhalter and Reyna family 'a sad and pathetic day for US soccer'</b>

The "soap opera" dispute between United States head coach Gregg Berhalter and the Reyna family is "a sad and pathetic day for US soccer," says ex-American international Heather O'Reilly.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gio Reyna, 20, did not start a match for Berhalter and the US at the World Cup in Qatar.

Reyna's mother Danielle has since reported Berhalter for kicking his wife when they were teenagers.

"No one wins in this situation," O'Reilly told BBC World Service.

"To bring up old dirty laundry 30 years in the making is just something else in my opinion.

"I would never condone violence or domestic violence, but this was 31 years ago, this was an incident that was reconciled - they [Berhalter and wife Rosalind] have a successful marriage of 25 years."

Berhalter is under investigation by US Soccer after admitting the allegation.

During a speech at a leadership summit in early December, Berhalter, 49, said an unnamed player was nearly sent home from the World Cup for "not meeting expectations on and off the field".

After those comments leaked out, Reyna - capped 16 times by the US - revealed on Instagram he had apologised to his team-mates and Berhalter for his attitude.

Reyna said he had been told by Berhalter that his role at the tournament would be "very limited" and that he let it affect his "training and behaviour".

"I think they [the Reyna family] are frustrated that Gio's name did get dragged in mud," said O'Reilly, speaking to the World Football show.

"But this was just a low, low, low manoeuvre. And one that I just think is nasty.

"This is like youth soccer gossip at the absolute highest level and it's just really sad and, honestly, a pathetic day for US soccer."

Reyna's mother said she reported Berhalter to US Soccer because it was "unfair" that "people were trashing" her son when the head coach had done something "much worse" at a similar age.

Her husband, and Gio's father, is former US captain Claudio Reyna, who played for Rangers, Sunderland and Manchester City during eight years in the UK between 1999-2007.

Mrs Reyna won six caps for the US women's national team and was the room-mate of Berhalter's now wife Rosalind at the time of the incident.

Berhalter's contract expired on 31 December and it is not yet known whether he will be offered a new deal.

O'Reilly believes the spat could cost him his job despite leading the US into the World Cup knockout stage last month.

"Before this, honestly, I would have said that Berhalter should be given a new contract - I think what the US national team did at the tournament was admirable," she added.

"But he did speak at the conference about a young player - and then that got leaked out because everybody knew that he was talking about Gio.

"He made a mistake. A mistake he probably regrets and then it obviously snowballed and he had no control over that snowball building.

"That is something I don't think he can recover from because of all that's come with it."

O'Reilly believes Reyna will be "mortified" by his parents' involvement in the matter, but expects the saga will do less damage to him than to Berhalter in the long-term.

"I think it will take a little bit of time to rebuild his reputation and he has a lot of work to do on the pitch," said O'Reilly.

"He's 20-years-old, he has a lot of game left in front of him and a lot of football in his legs and I think if he learns from this and does things right he will get another chance."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64178996

 

[James]

<b>Former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is on the brink of becoming the new boss of Portugal.</b>

The Spaniard has been in talks to replace Fernando Santos, who stood down as manager after Portugal's quarter-final loss to Morocco at the World Cup.

Martinez also left his role with Belgium following the team's group-stage exit in Qatar.

The former Everton and Wigan manager was appointed in 2016 and was out of contract after the World Cup.

Belgium, who claimed third place in 2018, went into the tournament as the world's second-ranked team by Fifa.

BBC Sport

 

[sweep_shot]

<b>Row between head coach Gregg Berhalter and Reyna family 'a sad and pathetic day for US soccer'</b>

The "soap opera" dispute between United States head coach Gregg Berhalter and the Reyna family is "a sad and pathetic day for US soccer," says ex-American international Heather O'Reilly.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Gio Reyna, 20, did not start a match for Berhalter and the US at the World Cup in Qatar.

Reyna's mother Danielle has since reported Berhalter for kicking his wife when they were teenagers.

"No one wins in this situation," O'Reilly told BBC World Service.

"To bring up old dirty laundry 30 years in the making is just something else in my opinion.

"I would never condone violence or domestic violence, but this was 31 years ago, this was an incident that was reconciled - they [Berhalter and wife Rosalind] have a successful marriage of 25 years."

Berhalter is under investigation by US Soccer after admitting the allegation.

During a speech at a leadership summit in early December, Berhalter, 49, said an unnamed player was nearly sent home from the World Cup for "not meeting expectations on and off the field".

After those comments leaked out, Reyna - capped 16 times by the US - revealed on Instagram he had apologised to his team-mates and Berhalter for his attitude.

Reyna said he had been told by Berhalter that his role at the tournament would be "very limited" and that he let it affect his "training and behaviour".

"I think they [the Reyna family] are frustrated that Gio's name did get dragged in mud," said O'Reilly, speaking to the World Football show.

"But this was just a low, low, low manoeuvre. And one that I just think is nasty.

"This is like youth soccer gossip at the absolute highest level and it's just really sad and, honestly, a pathetic day for US soccer."

Reyna's mother said she reported Berhalter to US Soccer because it was "unfair" that "people were trashing" her son when the head coach had done something "much worse" at a similar age.

Her husband, and Gio's father, is former US captain Claudio Reyna, who played for Rangers, Sunderland and Manchester City during eight years in the UK between 1999-2007.

Mrs Reyna won six caps for the US women's national team and was the room-mate of Berhalter's now wife Rosalind at the time of the incident.

Berhalter's contract expired on 31 December and it is not yet known whether he will be offered a new deal.

O'Reilly believes the spat could cost him his job despite leading the US into the World Cup knockout stage last month.

"Before this, honestly, I would have said that Berhalter should be given a new contract - I think what the US national team did at the tournament was admirable," she added.

"But he did speak at the conference about a young player - and then that got leaked out because everybody knew that he was talking about Gio.

"He made a mistake. A mistake he probably regrets and then it obviously snowballed and he had no control over that snowball building.

"That is something I don't think he can recover from because of all that's come with it."

O'Reilly believes Reyna will be "mortified" by his parents' involvement in the matter, but expects the saga will do less damage to him than to Berhalter in the long-term.

"I think it will take a little bit of time to rebuild his reputation and he has a lot of work to do on the pitch," said O'Reilly.

"He's 20-years-old, he has a lot of game left in front of him and a lot of football in his legs and I think if he learns from this and does things right he will get another chance."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64178996

America = Land of dramas.

This should be a non-issue considering the couple has moved on. But, they are now looking to dig up old dirt.

Pathetic.

 

[MenInG]

Watching FA Cup - The Cup is called Emirates Cup, there is advertising for Gulf companies

Then suddenly there is outrage when the World Cup happens in the ME!

 

[MenInG]

Poor Harry Kane! What a shock he would get if he found out who he was playing for.

==


The Premier League has been told to urgently tighten up its ownership rules amid talk Qatar Sports Investments are interested in purchasing a minority stake in Tottenham.

Human rights group Amnesty International want this week’s reports regarding a meeting between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and the QSI chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi to act as a “wake-up call” for the Premier League following the controversial Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle in 2021.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund hold a majority stake in Newcastle through Amanda Staveley’s consortium after it eventually passed the league’s owners’ and directors’ test to complete its purchase of the club.

Criticism followed given Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record and its treatment of LGBTQ+ residents. The Premier League chief executive, Richard Masters, admitted months after the takeover that a review of the ownership test was taking place.

The Premier League met with Amnesty last year regarding implementing a human rights component into the owners’ and directors’ test that would be objective, but any changes are not yet at a stage where they would be ready to be voted through, with the Government’s imminent White Paper on football governance likely to have some impact on this work, the PA news agency understands.

It opens the door for QSI to potentially invest in Tottenham or any other Premier League club. QSI chairman Khelaifi, who is also president of Paris Saint-Germain, met with Levy in London last week but Tottenham deny any discussions over equity of the club occurred.

Nevertheless, Amnesty has warned any possible Qatari investment in Spurs would be more potential sportswashing. Amnesty International UK’s economic affairs director, Peter Frankental, said in a statement: “Whether or not these talks are confirmed and actually lead to anything, this is another wake-up call to the Premier League to get its house in order when it comes to the ownership of our top clubs.

“We said before, during and after the hugely controversial Saudi buy-out of Newcastle United that the Premier League needed to significantly tighten up its ownership rules so that those implicated in human rights violations couldn’t buy into English football as an exercise in sportswashing.

“As we know from the World Cup, Qatar is intensely involved in the use of sport to refashion its image on the international stage, and Qatar’s possible involvement with Tottenham should be seen in this context – as more potential sportswashing.

“With the Qatari authorities basking in the glory of the ‘best ever’ World Cup, there’s a danger that limited reforms on migrant workers’ rights will quickly unravel and the repression of LGBTQ+ people and women will be overlooked as Qatar’s involvement in sport helps it avoid scrutiny on its lamentable human rights record.

“We’re not necessarily opposing the further involvement of state-linked overseas financial consortia in English football, whether at Tottenham or anywhere else, but the Premier League must urgently update its ownership rules to ensure they’re human rights-compliant and not an open invitation for more sportswashing.”

Spurs’ chairman, Levy, and Khelaifi have a longstanding friendship and regularly meet when in the same city. Both are part of the European Club Association board, where Khelaifi is chair, and got together last month in Doha after an ECA meeting.

Given QSI’s majority stake in PSG, any investment in Tottenham or another Premier League club would only be a minority purchase. QSI completed a 22% stake in Portuguese outfit Braga in October and appear keen to boost their portfolio of clubs following the World Cup in Qatar.

While the Fifa president Gianni Infantino declared the first winter edition of the tournament the “best ever” last month, it was mired in controversy from the deaths of migrant workers building stadiums to the treatment of LGBTQ+ supporters who were regularly prevented from wearing rainbow-coloured clothing or displaying rainbow flags.

Guardian

 

[daytrader]

Qatar spends big to beat post-World Cup blues

Months after hundreds of thousands of football fans packed into its hotels and stadiums, Qatar is seeking to remedy a bout of the post-World Cup blues by hosting more international events.

Along with the departed football crowds, thousands of foreign workers left the Gulf state after Lionel Messi lifted the coveted trophy on Dec 18. Many of those who stayed on are counting the cost.

Luxury hotels built for the tournament have laid off hundreds of staff as rooms costing thousands of dollars a night during the tournament can no longer be filled.

In a country normally hungry for labour, a shopping mall on the edge of Doha recently advertised 100 jobs and saw more than 1,000 people jostling outside for interviews.

Qatar estimates that the World Cup, which residents once dreaded, brought 1.4 million people to the state.

Akhtar Patel, who runs a jewellery store in Doha’s Souq Waqif market, said business in comparison is “quiet”. “We really miss those fans now,” he said.

The Eid holiday brought back some shoppers, but the decline has been such that Sandeev Kumar, who runs a print workshop, sent two of his four workers back to India because he could no longer afford to pay them.

“We miss the vibe, but we miss the business even more,” he said.

On Doha’s seafront promenade, host to a World Cup fanzone, some jobless workers have been reduced to asking for cash handouts, leading the interior ministry to issue a public warning against “uncivilised” begging.

But Qatar’s economy remains healthy. After recording a trade surplus of nearly $100 billion last year, growth this year — bolstered by its natural gas riches — is predicted by the World Bank to hit 3.4 per cent, among the highest in the Middle East.

And a wave of newcomers has added nearly 100,000 to the population since the World Cup final, taking it to over three million, according to official figures.

Push for transformation
Akbar al Baker, head of Qatar’s tourism agency and Qatar Airways, said hotel occupancy in the months after a World Cup is “always low”.

The tiny country has made investments in tourism and hosting more major events a focus, Baker added, predicting Qatar will welcome more than five million visitors this year — more than twice the number in pre-pandemic 2019.

Mechanical diggers are laying the ground for a six-month horticultural expo from October, which Qatar hopes will draw one million foreign visitors. Concrete is also being poured at a new race track to host the second Qatar Formula One grand prix on Oct 8.

On Friday, Qatar was revealed as the host of the 24-nation basketball World Cup in 2027, despite having no tradition in the sport.

Culture Minister Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani said that when Qatar first launched its Years of Culture series with other countries a decade ago it was a struggle to find candidates.

“Countries are now queuing to be part of the Years of Culture,” he told an event for this year’s partner, Indonesia.

New prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani took office in March and is expected to soon announce new economic initiatives, in part a response to growing competition from Saudi Arabia, which has embarked on many reforms.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

Three migrant workers at the World Cup finals in Qatar have been in prison in the Gulf state since protests in January over unpaid wages, redundancies and evictions saw authorities arrest and deport many of those involved.

Telegraph Sport revealed in January that workers employed as security guards at Fifa's main media centre during the World Cup, as well as two other key sites, had protested the early termination of their six-month contracts – which had left them without a salary or a place to live.

It is understood that since that day, three men are still in custody. They have been named as Pakistan nationals Shakir Ullah and Zafar Iqbal and Indian national Tanveer Hussain. The Qatar government has not responded to requests to comment. Fifa referred Telegraph Sport to a previous statement it had made on the Qatari contractor at the centre of the allegations.

The nature of the Qatari court system means that it is difficult to verify what the trio have been charged with or whether they have been convicted. The men are understood to have been contracted to Stark Security Services and Festival Global Management, sister companies which employed foreign workers as security guards.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/worl...p&cvid=0f2403588c95437899dbcaa897f6c78c&ei=33

 

[MenInG]

Three World Cup security guards who were detained while trying to resolve a dispute over unpaid wages are still being held in Qatar four months after their arrest.

Shakir Ullah and Zafar Iqbal from Pakistan, and an Indian national, have allegedly been sentenced to six months in prison and fined 10,000 riyals (£2,220) each.

The findings, first established by the human rights group Equidem and verified by the Guardian, are a shocking postscript to the World Cup, which Fifa promised would leave a lasting legacy of better workers’ rights in the Gulf state. Qatar has not commented on the case.

The three men were among hundreds of security guards, employed by Stark Security Services, a local private security company, who were deployed at key sites throughout the World Cup but were laid off in the days after the final, with months still left on their contracts.

Ullah, who was affectionately known as chacha (uncle in Urdu) by his colleagues, was described by one as a “calm, quiet person, but when it comes to his rights, he will not allow you to cheat him”.

Calling for the immediate release of the three men, Equidem’s director, Mustafa Qadri, said the men had been punished for simply demanding what they and hundreds of their colleagues were owed after their contracts were terminated early.

“This is the true cost of Fifa’s reckless disregard for the rights of people who help them generate huge profits,” Qadri said.

Hundreds of other former Stark Security workers are also coming to terms with their own traumatic ordeal after disputing the early termination of their contracts.

While Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar after what Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, called the “best ever” World Cup, Jacob* and Patrick*, from Kenya, were told they were being fired.

They had spent much of the tournament working as security guards at Stadium 974, which hosted matches involving Argentina, Brazil, France and Portugal and stars such as Messi, Mbappé and Ronaldo.

They say the message came as a shock, because their contracts still had three months left to run. They were then instructed to collect their final salary for the days they had worked in December and leave their accommodation.

Just days after the final they suddenly found themselves jobless and homeless. “When they needed you, they treated you well, but now they are done with you, you are nothing to them,” said Jacob.

Worse was to come: after attempting to dispute the early termination of their contracts, the two men were allegedly detained and deported along with hundreds of others.

“They say it was the most beautiful World Cup, but at the end of the day we just lost everything,” said Patrick.

In the months leading up to the World Cup, Stark Security took on hundreds of security guards to be deployed at key tournament sites. “Because it was Fifa, we all said ‘let’s join’,” said another worker from Ghana.

The Guardian interviewed nine security guards who worked for the company, including Jacob and Patrick, all of whom had their employment terminated early. Four were allegedly later deported and five others were fired at the same time or shortly afterwards but were not deported.

The workers’ contracts, seen by the Guardian, promised a monthly salary of 2,700 riyals (£600) for working seven days a week, as well as providing them with food and accommodation.

The nine workers interviewed by the Guardian all believed they had been employed for six months. Their contracts stated: “Notice period: six months post date of joining.” Under reforms made to Qatar’s labour laws in 2020, employers and workers can end contracts early, but they must give one month’s notice.

“We went to Qatar to earn money and make a better life for our family, but the company and authorities cheated us,” said another fired security guard from Pakistan. “We felt so helpless.”

With nowhere else to stay, no way to repay the huge debts they had taken on to get to Qatar and few other jobs available once the World Cup had finished, Jacob, Patrick and hundreds of other security guards attempted to negotiate with Stark Security and filed a complaint with the Qatari government.

“We told them: we’re still willing to work,” said Jacob. “We have not failed you in any way, we have not committed any crime; if you wish to stop [employing] us, you have to compensate us for these three remaining months.”

But Stark Security told them that there was no more work as the tournament was over, and, according to the workers, ordered the labour camp to stop serving food to them. “They kept coming to the accommodation and threatening us, banging on our door so we would leave,” said Jacob.

On 23 January, about 200 of the guards hired buses to take them to the headquarters of a company associated with Stark Security to negotiate for their unpaid wages. Staff allegedly called the police and claimed the workers were blocking the road. The guards said, apart from their leaders, they did not even get off the buses.

The workers were allegedly taken to a detention centre by the police, with more than 200 later deported, including the four men interviewed by the Guardian, who had been on the buses.

Eventually, with no other options, the men interviewed by the Guardian accepted their wages for the days they had worked in December. Any hope they might be paid for the remaining months of their contract was lost. They said that they, along with all the other men detained with them, were deported within a week. Only Shakir Ullah and his two colleagues remained.

Equidem said it had interviewed 43 men who had worked for Stark Security and allegedly had their contracts terminated early and been deported.

For those who say they were forced to return home, the sense of outrage and shock is still raw. Some blame the Qatari regime. “Nothing happens without its knowledge. We should have gotten our rights if the Qatar government had cared,” said Jacob.

But that anger is also directed at Fifa, which made $7.5bn (£6bn) over the four years leading up to the Qatar World Cup. “Fifa made big money from the World Cup and we deserve our share,” said a guard from Ghana.

A spokesperson for Qatar government’s international media office said an investigation found that Stark Security had failed to comply with all of Qatar’s labour laws and would be penalised.

It confirmed the workers had been employed on temporary six-month contracts, but “a resolution was swiftly reached between the company and its employees, whereby the workers were remunerated in full for their services and their contracts were concluded in accordance with their specified terms”.

It did not confirm if any of the workers had been deported, but said: “Qatar does not arrest or deport workers for seeking to resolve their employment disputes. The rights of all individuals working in Qatar are upheld and protected through the fair and just application of legal due process.”

Fifa directed the Guardian to an earlier statement it made on the case, in which it said it “seeks to facilitate discussions at host country level, to explore available options for remedy”.

Stark Security Services did not respond to requests for comment. Qatar’s local World Cup organising committee declined to comment.

* Names have been changed to protect individuals’ identities.

Guardian

 

[hassan918]

Nottingham Forest have provisionally drawn up plans to take the City Ground capacity above 30,000 by erecting a temporary seating area that will be built on shipping containers and modelled on the Stadium 974 used in Qatar during the World Cup.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Qatar World Cup 2022: Fifa 'must deliver on Qatar human rights promises' - Norwegian football chief

Fifa "has a responsibility to deliver the legacy it said it would" on human rights in Qatar following the 2022 World Cup but "is not there yet", according to Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness.

A year on from the tournament, Klaveness has returned to Qatar to try to find out whether human rights in the Gulf state have been improved.

Speaking from Doha, she told BBC Sport that the World Cup "really pushed some very progressive changes" over the treatment of migrant workers, but also said she had identified a "struggle with implementation" of reforms.

And on the issue of gay rights in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, Klaveness said "matters are still as sensitive, as controversial, and have not moved at all".

The former Norway international said she had returned to Qatar, where she met with workers, the authorities and NGO representatives, a year on from the tournament in order "to learn, because we think these issues will come up again and again".

"We want to follow up on the promises Fifa made, and football's responsibility on human rights policy," she added.

"For now, we see that Fifa has not really leaned in and engaged in really walking the walk on lifting human rights [to being a prerequisite for hosting] World Cups."

In response, Fifa said its human rights and social responsibility sub-committee is carrying out an independent assessment on whether the steps the body has taken so far are "in line" with its human rights responsibilities, and whether additional steps would be recommended "in view of further strengthening the tournament's legacy for migrant workers".

"International experts and trade union representatives who have assessed and collaborated in the labour rights programme for Fifa World Cup workers have repeatedly recognised that major steps forward have occurred in the labour rights sphere," said a Fifa spokesperson.

"According to the International Labour Organisation, Qatar's labour reforms have been significant and benefitted hundreds of thousands of workers with the World Cup being an important catalyst for these reforms.

"It is undeniable that significant progress has taken place, and it is equally clear that the enforcement of such transformative reforms takes time and that heightened efforts are needed to ensure the reforms benefit all workers in the country."

The Qatar World Cup organisers have been approached for comment.

Qatar World Cup 2022: Fifa 'must deliver on Qatar human rights promises' - Norwegian football chief

Fifa "has a responsibility to deliver" on human rights promises in Qatar but is "not there yet", says Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness.

www.bbc.com

 

[sweep_shot]

Qatar World Cup 2022: Fifa 'must deliver on Qatar human rights promises' - Norwegian football chief

Fifa "has a responsibility to deliver the legacy it said it would" on human rights in Qatar following the 2022 World Cup but "is not there yet", according to Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness.

A year on from the tournament, Klaveness has returned to Qatar to try to find out whether human rights in the Gulf state have been improved.

Speaking from Doha, she told BBC Sport that the World Cup "really pushed some very progressive changes" over the treatment of migrant workers, but also said she had identified a "struggle with implementation" of reforms.

And on the issue of gay rights in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal, Klaveness said "matters are still as sensitive, as controversial, and have not moved at all".

The former Norway international said she had returned to Qatar, where she met with workers, the authorities and NGO representatives, a year on from the tournament in order "to learn, because we think these issues will come up again and again".

"We want to follow up on the promises Fifa made, and football's responsibility on human rights policy," she added.

"For now, we see that Fifa has not really leaned in and engaged in really walking the walk on lifting human rights [to being a prerequisite for hosting] World Cups."

In response, Fifa said its human rights and social responsibility sub-committee is carrying out an independent assessment on whether the steps the body has taken so far are "in line" with its human rights responsibilities, and whether additional steps would be recommended "in view of further strengthening the tournament's legacy for migrant workers".

"International experts and trade union representatives who have assessed and collaborated in the labour rights programme for Fifa World Cup workers have repeatedly recognised that major steps forward have occurred in the labour rights sphere," said a Fifa spokesperson.

"According to the International Labour Organisation, Qatar's labour reforms have been significant and benefitted hundreds of thousands of workers with the World Cup being an important catalyst for these reforms.

"It is undeniable that significant progress has taken place, and it is equally clear that the enforcement of such transformative reforms takes time and that heightened efforts are needed to ensure the reforms benefit all workers in the country."

The Qatar World Cup organisers have been approached for comment.

Qatar World Cup 2022: Fifa 'must deliver on Qatar human rights promises' - Norwegian football chief

Fifa "has a responsibility to deliver" on human rights promises in Qatar but is "not there yet", says Norwegian football chief Lise Klaveness.

www.bbc.com

Who is Norway to dictate what Qatar can or can't do?

Norway is crossing a line here.

 

[BouncerGuy]

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