FIFA World Cup 2022 begins today with all national teams well poised for the tournament.
Opening game between the host country Qatar and Ecuador kicks off today at 16;00 GMT.
Criticism
There have been criticisms over issues bothering around LGBT rights and migrant workers which led Fifa President to comment on such issues at a news conference on the eve of the starting the tournament.
President Gianni Infantino accused critics of World Cup host Qatar in its treatment of migrant workers, describing the criticism as hypocrisy, adding that engagement was the only way to improve human rights.
I am European. For what we have been doing for 3,000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before giving moral lessons, he said.
I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education and to give them a better future and more hope. We should all educate ourselves, many things are not perfect but reform and change takes time.
This one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy,” he said.
It is not easy to take the criticism of a decision that was made 12 years ago. Doha is ready, Qatar is ready and of course it will be the best World Cup
I know what it feels to be discriminated (against), I know what it’s like to be bullied,” if you want to criticize, criticize me instead” he said.
What do you do? You start engaging, this is what we should be doing… The only way of getting results is by engaging.
Ban on Alcohol
On the other hand, Alcohol sales at World Cup stadiums in Qatar have been banned, in a change of stance prior to the start of the tournament.
Beer and spirits were set to be served “in select areas within stadiums”, despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country.
Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament however are believed to get the chance to purchase alcohol.
A decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the Fifa fan festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s Fifa World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters”, said a statement from world football’s governing body.
