FIFA President Gianni Infantino heaped praise on World Cup hosts Qatar while accusing Western critics of hypocrisy, on the eve of the opening day of the 29-day tournament.
Addressing over 400 journalists at the Qatar National Convention Centre ahead of what he said would be the best ever FIFA World Cup edition, Infantino highlighted that Qatar has come a long way when it comes to treatment and safeguarding migrant workers.
“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,” the FIFA chief 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.
“I don’t want to give you any lessons of life, but what is going on here is profoundly, profoundly unjust,” Infantino added.
Infantino also noted that under Qatar’s legal framework, the migrant workers are being compensated in cases of accidents. The Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund, established in 2018, supports compensation claims and has already paid out over $350m to workers, Infantino highlighted, adding that it will continue to do so in future.
With regard to operational changes made in the past few weeks, Infantino said that all the decisions taken regarding the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 came in partnership between Qatar and FIFA.
“As FIFA president I have to focus on football, but I had to clarify many things. Let the participants in the tournament focus on football and the fans to enjoy the event that only occurs once every four years,” Infantino chief said during his lengthy speech.
“We welcome everyone to the World Cup. We would like to emphasise that Qatar welcomes everyone regardless of their race, religion, orientation or beliefs,” Infantino said, adding that “Qatar has properly prepared to welcome everyone, and we feel the great happiness shown by those who are here from the fans to attend the World Cup.”
“Doha is ready, Qatar is ready and of course it will be the best World Cup ever,” the head of the global football’s governing body reiterated.
