Qatar emir laments ‘unprecedented’ criticism over internet hosting of FIFA World Cup

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, on Tuesday, mentioned his nation had confronted unprecedented criticism since successful the bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

The ruler of the Center Japanese nation famous that some criticism amounted to slander.

“We initially handled the matter in good religion,” Mr Tamim mentioned in a televised coverage speech, including that a number of the early criticisms have been constructive.

Nevertheless, he mentioned, a marketing campaign in opposition to Qatar expanded to “together with fabrications and double requirements that have been so ferocious that they’ve sadly prompted many individuals to query the actual causes and motives behind the marketing campaign”.

Qatar, the primary Center Japanese nation to host the World Cup, got here below intense worldwide criticism for its therapy of international staff and restrictive social legal guidelines.

The emir was addressing a session of the Gulf Arab state’s advisory Shura Council as Doha gears as much as host soccer’s foremost world occasion, which kicks off on November 20.

Qatar, with a inhabitants of some three million, expects 1.2 million guests throughout the match, creating an unprecedented logistical and policing problem for the tiny Gulf Arab state.

Mr Tamim mentioned internet hosting the World Cup was “an ideal check for a rustic the scale of Qatar”.

“We accepted this problem out of our religion in our potential, we, the Qataris, to sort out the mission and make it a hit,” he mentioned.

“It’s a championship for all, and its success is success for all,” Mr Tamim added.

Doha has launched reforms, together with guidelines to guard staff from warmth and a month-to-month minimal wage of 1,000 riyals (275), and mentioned it continues to develop its labour system.

International staff account for 85 per cent of the inhabitants of Qatar, which is among the many world’s prime pure fuel producers and one of many wealthiest nations per capita.

Mr Tamim mentioned greater power costs had helped Qatar realise a authorities funds surplus of 47.3 billion riyals ($12.8 billion) for the primary half of 2022.

That is in opposition to a projected deficit and gross home product development of 4.3 per cent, based on preliminary estimates.

“The funds surplus will likely be directed to decreasing the extent of public debt and growing the state’s monetary reserves,” he mentioned.

He mentioned the World Cup would permit Qatar to showcase its financial and institutional power and cultural identification.

(Reuters/NAN)