Qatar 2022: Nuts & bolts of FIFA’s “The show must go on” shtick
Qatar 2022: Nuts & bolts of FIFA’s “The show must go on” shtick: Qatar 2022 is being called the most controversial World Cup in FIFA history, and that’s before the first ball has even been kicked.
Difficulties have arisen during the competition due to the host country’s strict regulations and handling of human rights.
Football’s international governing body, FIFA, and event organizers have come under fire for failing to address fan concerns and offer viable solutions.
Cases, criticism, compromises, and confusion are all detailed by the Indian Express in preparation for the 2019 World Cup.
The World Cup jersey against the host nation
When Hummel Sport released the Denmark National Team’s World Cup uniform, they said, “We don’t intend to be noticeable during a competition that has cost thousands of people’s lives.”
A shirt with subdued versions of the team’s emblem, sponsors, and chevrons. Critique of the hosts’ ‘human rights record’ in light of the event. Reports about the abuse of workers on World Cup venues in Qatar have drawn widespread criticism.
Not only was this the first time a team and its kit sponsor had said this at the event, but it had also been the first time a team had ever said this about the event. While we are 100% behind the Danish national team, we cannot in good conscience endorse Qatar as a host nation,” Hummel said in their statement.
Rainbow on the arm, rainbow in the hands
As many as eight European teams have joined the “One Love” campaign, which is pressuring FIFA and the Qatar 2022 organizing committee to change their stance on hosting the event.
This is in an effort to show support for LGBTQ+ rights by sporting rainbow captain armbands at the championship game later this year. In accordance with Penal Code 2004 and Sharia Law, the LGBTQ+ group is considered a criminal subset of the population in Qatar.
Many LGBTQ+ fans have voiced ongoing safety worries about traveling to Qatar for the World Cup. Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad al-Thani remarked during the UN General Assembly, “The Qatari people will greet with open arms football lovers from all walks of life.”
Even FIFA has issued a similar safety guarantee. In response to earlier statements by Qatari officials that fans’ rainbow flags will be confiscated to guarantee their safety, the international governing body has stated that spectators attending the games will be permitted to fly their pride banners.
No PDA, no knee display for the fans
Hassan Al-Thawadi, the head of the Qatar 2022 organizing committee, spoke at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York earlier this month, and among the many things he said, one word resonated with all the out-of-town fans. We’re not into showing our love in public.
The concession seemed like a favor, but the mere suggestion of something that is basic freedom in any progressive democracy was notable. The people of Qatar demand that the rest of the world uphold a set of principles. To state the obvious, we are not PDA supporters (public display of affection). But it is also in our nature to be hospitable to people of various walks of life.
It’s okay for gay and straight couples to hold hands in public, but they’ve been told to avoid making out. Overt displays of affection or familiarity are frowned upon in public, as stated by the Qatar Tourism Authority.
While attire is less strictly regulated, the ‘Cultural Awareness’ portion of the official website makes clear the preferences of the tournament’s organizers and the local authorities.
At the hotel’s beaches and pools, guests are welcome to wear swimwear. The cultural sensitivity sign read, “Fans attending games should be advised that removing shirts in the stadium is not authorized.”
The Beer Fight
Since 2010, when Qatar secured the World Cup rights, there has been doubting over how FIFA will address the demand of traveling fans for alcohol in a mainly Muslim nation that limits its sale.
Having Budweiser as a sponsor of the competition only added to the difficulty. In August, after discussions with local authorities, FIFA announced that Budweiser beer would be available “inside the stadium boundary prior to kickoff and after the final whistle.”
The International Federation of Football Associations has announced that non-alcoholic Budweiser Zero would be available to ticket holders in the stadium bowl. “Budweiser will be for sale at the FIFA Fan Festival beginning at 6:30 p.m.”
Fans will still need to exercise caution and a firm refusal to compromise while attempting to purchase alcohol within the designated locations set forth by the event organizers.
Negotiations between FIFA and potential World Cup hosts
FIFA has been in the position of negotiating with a host nation on strict state rules before, so this won’t be their first time doing so for Qatar 2022. Fans and support groups from all across the host country criticized Russia in 2018 for its human rights record.
The Russian statute from 2013 that made homosexual “propaganda” a crime was exposed. Just having rainbow flags flying at the stadiums where the tournaments were being held required gaining an agreement with the local authorities.
At sporting events, for instance, the rainbow flag will be tolerated. Does this mean that Russia’s LGBT population is the answer to all of the country’s problems? “No, but it’s a start in the right direction,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino had stated.
Concern and language took on a distinct tone for Brazil in 2014.
Since alcoholic beverages are traditionally consumed during Fifa World Cup events, we will be doing the same. Former FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke had declared, “Excuse me if I seem a bit arrogant, but that’s something we won’t negotiate.”
In an effort to reduce violence between opposing fans, the tournament organizers and the Brazilian Congress fought over a 2003 ban on alcoholic beverages at Brazilian football matches. Later, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff passed a bill that, at least in theory, would have authorized the selling of beer during World Cup games.
Read More: Denmark is going to wear FIFA World Cup Jersey to protest against Qatar