Updated with statement from Supreme Council for Delivery & Legacy
A senior FIFA official made waves this afternoon after forecasting that Qatar would lose hosting rights to the 2022 World Cup because of its searing summer heat.
Speaking to German tabloid Bild, FIFA executive committee member Theo Zwanziger said:
“I personally think that in the end the 2022 World Cup will not take place in Qatar. Medics say that they cannot accept responsibility with a World Cup taking place under these conditions.”
The comments are the latest remarks made in a long drawn-out debate about whether Qatar could realistically host the football tournament in June/July, when temperatures regularly exceed 45C (113F).
FIFA is currently considering whether to move the games to the cooler winter months, but that proposal been controversial because it presents scheduling conflicts for other sports leagues.
Qatar’s bid team has said it is ready to host the games in the winter or the summer. It has been developing cooling technology to be used in the stadiums, fan and training zones and other areas, but Zwanziger said that was not enough.
Reuters reports him as saying:
“They may be able to cool the stadiums but a World Cup does not take place only there. Fans from around the world will be coming and traveling in this heat and the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor. That is not something that FIFA Exco members want to answer for.”
Response
For its part, the world’s governing football body said today that Zwanziger was simply expressing his personal opinion, and FIFA does not comment on such matters.
Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy also weighed in. In a statement, the SCDL’s executive director of communications and marketing Nasser Al Khater said:
“Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022, despite comments of FIFA Executive Committee member Dr. Zwanziger, which reflect his personal opinion and not that of FIFA. The only question now is WHEN, not IF.
Summer or winter, we will be ready. We have proven that a FIFA World Cup in Qatar in the summer is possible with state-of-the-art cooling technology. We have demonstrated that our cooling works in outdoor areas beyond stadiums. This summer we welcomed fans in Doha to an open-air Brazil 2014 Fan Zone with temperatures cooled to a comfortable 22 degrees Celsius.
The evolution of environmentally-friendly cooling technologies is an important legacy for our nation, region and for countries with similar climates – promising to expand the reach of hosting major sporting events to countries where it was never thought possible before.”
Previously, other senior FIFA officials have expressed support for the idea of a winter World Cup.
Earlier this year, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said the games would not be held in June or July due to the heat, but instead moved to sometime between November and January.
And though FIFA President Sepp Blatter previously called awarding hosting rights to Qatar a “mistake,” he spoke encouragingly last week after meeting with the Emir.
Referring to ongoing criticism of Qatar over labor rights abuses, Blatter said in a statement:
“Qatar is working hard to take advantage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup as a vehicle for social development that will contribute to the promotion of football in the region.”
A final decision about which months the 2022 tournament will be held is expected in February 2015.
Also next year, FIFA’s ethics committee is expected to announce sanctions on individuals who are found guilty of bribery or corruption related to Qatar’s 2022 and Russia’s 2018 bids.
The judge leading the investigation, however, said this week that the findings of the probe would not include calls for a re-vote of either bid.
Thoughts?
I take FIFA statements on football policy and World Cups as seriously as Qatar Government officals on significant sponsorship reform that will happen very soon.
Haha! Good one..
And though FIFA President Sepp Blatter previously called awarding hosting rights to Qatar a “mistake,” he spoke encouragingly last week after meeting with the Emir.
Blatter went on to say that he would also like to thank his hosts for the fine suitcases they gave him as a going away present. They are very heavy though, he continued, maybe as heavy as a million dollars.
LOL!!
Blatter owns real estate in Qatar. It is located in an area called the “pearl”. This is among the 200,000 documents that Garcia compiled together. Blatter would never let these documents see the light.
The Emir of Qatar is a dirty lying pig. He funds terrorists and claim that he does not lol…
Have you considered moving to a different country as Qatar obviously isn’t for you? I am a ‘westerner’ living and working in Qatar and and find your comments deeply offensive. I hope that the Doha News suspend your account immediately.
Oh really? Why are they offensive? I happen to find slavery and bribery and funding terrorists to be offensive too.
You are a westrener? Hmm I would love to believe that, but your grammar says otherwise.
Did you get offended because I called Tamim althani a lying pig? If any offense is to be taken, it is most certainly to be taken by the pig. Even pigs have more morals than Qataris. You are nobody to live in a slave state, where you are treated as a second class citizen at most. Enjoy making your filthy riyal money while your farts are being censored you piece of dirt.
Wow, what an educated and eloquent response. Perhaps you would care to enlighten us all of where you were educated to enable you to engage us all with your thought provoking and insightful opinions.
I would be happy to tell you all that.
-I was educated in a place that taught me that all people are equal, yes even Asians.
-I was educated in a place that taught me about ethics in business dealing, which conflicts with bribery
-I was educated in a place that taught me that killing people and funding terror is a bad thing to do
-I was educated in a place that taught me that freedom of speech should not end me up in jail for 3 years and 500,000 riyal fine
-I was educated in a place that taught me that being rich is a state of mind and is not what makes a person respectful.
Now would you care telling me and the rest where you were educated sir?
Thx
I was educated in the UK . You still didn’t answer the question that I posed to you, and I find it interesting that you describe yourself as ‘respectful’ even though you call people you have never met ‘dirt’.
Any human being that defends racism, bribery, slavery and funding terror is less than dirt.
So my friend, calling you dirt when you defend these actions is an insult to dirt and not to you.
Shame on you. Once you leave that filthy country, your humanity might kick in. I can’t help but believe in people like you. It is never too late.
You have no idea of what I have done or currently do to defeat racism, slavery etc. yet you call me ‘dirt’. Respect comes in many forms and I believe that your message is more powerful when delivered in a manner that educates rather than alienates. All countries have faults ( it is interesting that you still have not answered my original question of where you were educated) but I believe that change can be made by people working with people rather than making offensive comments ans running away and leaving all of the problems behind.
What do you do? You give poor indians food and water and you feel gracious about it, while you sip on your 50 riyal La Cigal coffee? Wow !
All countries have faults? Well let us define faults! Faults and crimes are very different things! Cut the crap man plz. You, yourself are a slave to the salary you earn and you have the guts to tell me you I am uneducated because I am raising my voice against these Pigs?!
Do you truly believe Qatar and its Emir and its citizens are anything but racist disgusting scum bags? Do you even have the balls to say otherwise?
I have been to their Majlis and if my eyes can speak, they
Would tell you what they’ve seen! …
Yes it is bad to generalize and say all Qataris are bad, but I can assure you that the very majority of them are horrible people. I truly hope one day they will be treated like they treat Indians/Nepalis/and all their slaves.
No man, I owe you no answers. In fact, You owe yourself a lot of answers my man. My words will make sense to you one day (I hope)
And yet all that education seems wasted since you can’t express your views without profanity, disrespectful language and immature discourse. Shame. That was some money thrown away right there.
My words would hurt emotions at most. The country you live in is actually KILLING Tens of thousands of people. Those migrant workers are not committing suicides man. Those Terrorists are not getting their cash from the tooth fckn fairy either!
My education is not wasted. Your life is wasted. Your logic or lack of logic is a waste of a man. I am a FREE man. I can express my views in words yet sleep home in peace. Can you do that?
Do you convince yourself that you live in the perfect country every day before you sleep to feel less shtty about yourself and your life? One day you will be old and your grandson will ask you.. Grandpa, how was it to live in Qatar… You will think back and you will tell him: It was the biggest mistake son.. These people are pigs.
Settle down. I’m actually getting worried about you. The vein in your forehead looks about ready to pop.
I get so upset man.. Look at these people on this forum… I bet you that MOST of them agree to me but they all are scared to even comment or “like”… It is 2014! the 21st century and Qatar has threatened its residents that if they contribute online on anything negative, they will face 3 years jail time.
Who do these Qataris think they are?! lol.. And why are Westerners in such need to work for these people? Is it for the Buck? IS this what humanity has come for? I feel like shaking everyone of these people and slapping them on the face to wake up
Deleting most of your comments because of personal attacks and for hijacking this thread.
RESPECT!
Well said Sir!
Seems Theo Zwanziger want to win a brand new Maybach or Qatar Duty Free shop’s Million Dollar Lottery!
45 in June and July? And seemingly the end of September! It’s blinking boiling today. My poor baby looked like a little beetroot when I took out of the car!! Stroll on December!!
Then maybe you should think starting the AC in your car?
I imagine that the child was in a car seat which tends to be warm regardless of the ac position. Do you use a car seat Sicti?
Yes Sir, two, for both my kids. I wouldn’t imagine driving my car with my kids roaming inside, not protected by car seats. And also I wait for even 10-15 minutes for the car to cool off inside before bringing them in.
I am pleased if this is true. It’s also great that you have the time to wait for the car to cool down. Can you collect my child too?
Right….whatever.
You should replace your car or at a minimum replace the AC in the car. I don’t own an expensive car, but cooling it down to acceptable level had never been an issue. I think people should stop complaining about everything. If the heat was an issue, did you notice in Brazil World Cup, some of the games had to have special breaks introduced first time in FIFA history in order to cool down the players. It was not only hot, the humidity was near 100. I never saw any of these commentators complain about it!!!
It doesn’t matter how good your a/c is. If your car is parked in the sun for a few hours, the a/c can’t cool the car quickly enough. The cars are registering 48-50 degrees. How can an a/c cool that down to 25 in a few minutes?
My car still wasn’t cool after driving it for 10 minutes! Black car seats for kids don’t help either, even though I cover it with a white sheet. And cover the windows!! :(((
Buy a windscreen shade and ALWAYS put it in place. Open the windows as soon as you start the car- This will force the hot air out and your car will cool down a lot faster. Close them as soon as you feel the temperature start to drop.Start driving as soon as possible rather than letting the car engine idle, then the A.C. works more efficiently. Get the gas checked/topped up regularly in the A.C.
I’ve been here for 8 years so know all the tricks, but thanks!! Unfortunately the Doha traffic doesn’t allow me to give the car a good run to cool. A bit of shade from my place of work would be nice!! Oh well.
Well I never thought of that!! How foolish of me. When I work from 6.30am to 2pm I a place that offers no shading for my car then have to go and get my daughter from nursery, air conditioning in this country is the last thing I thought of!!!
or honk at the Indian grocery guy to get you BIBSI to your car to drink it. You camel riding ignorant perverts 🙂
They were asked to reform the sponsorship system… And they tried to mock the international community by bringing in another stupid caveats like NOC , exit permits and bribing everyone involved and those who raise questions ..etc…let them suffer… Personally I wanted them to host the world cup.. But not with the cost of human rights …
Oh, here we go again with ‘Doha News’. This guy have no authority in striping off the 2022 tournament, he is the same German memebre who is moaning about Qatar 2022 since it won. Actually so far everyone are expecting no wrong doing in judge Garcia’s investigation about both Qatar & Russia’s bid. But D. News love beating the drums. (I’m expecting my critic comment to be deleted just like my comment on D.News’s Facebook page.)
Maybe it’s for the best, Qatar is better off without a bunch of westerners getting drunk and fornicating in public, let another country deal with them
Because only Westerners travel to the world cup?
Yes
Well if only Westerners travel then why not just have it in a Western developed country to make it easier for us. Isis are recruiting btw.
LOL! Why not on a Western so-called “developed country”?! because they lost the bidding. Their is nothing so called “developed” in these countries, they have a very high crime rates, back dictators around the world, preach about human rights all day long while violated more than a human eye blink and have a primitive mentality of launching wars for resources. There is no different between ISIS recruiting and US military recruiting, both entities are savages.
Again, your logic is unbelievable! You think the Middle East, which is not a 3rd world, but a 4th world is more developed than the west? What crime rate are you talking about? Do you have any idea what “rate” means? When you factor in the population versus the killing wrt to time, it will maybe make more sense to you what the gentleman was trying to say.
Human rights and women rights and homosexual rights and animal rights and environmental rights fall under a big umbrella called “developed”. What has the Middle East brought into the world besides “killing in the name of God” and beside just consuming the world’s resources? Tell me ONE thing ANY Middle Eastern country contributed in that is good to humanity or research or technology? …What brand of Jeans do you wear? What Brand of Cell phone do you use? What Language do you study in school!? – This is what defines developed countries. Without these developed countries, you will not even be able to survive!
Not one country is perfect, but in these “developed” countries that you are dissing, you can actually go on TV and swear to the president directly while the whole nation is watching. Did you know that? The best part is that after you do that, you will still live!…
You can also be treated equally even If you are poor and even If you come from any country.
Why are you comparing ISIS to the US army? That same army is protecting the country that you stay in. Trust me, the day that base is gone, you will be VERY worried to even walk that street you live on probably. Stop all that man, for your own sake and for the sake of the people you represent. You make absolutely no sense and I am not saying USA or Israel or UK are saints.
Thank you!
You failed to understand my post. I am not going to explain it to you. You appear to be more interested in simply fighting with Westerners. I would suggest that you pick up a weapon and try to position yourself somewhere near or at the point of an air strike.
It seems you have no mojo
Not all westerners get drunk and fornicate. Stereotype much??
Err, sarcasm…? Anyway, my post was deleted for being taken seriously. Between no one getting it and not being able to say much for fear of prosecution it’s probably best not to bother anymore
There’s no place for sarcasm and statements that can be misinterpreted anymore. This is the new reality unfortunately.
hahah, the Qatari Althani Shiekhs are the biggest alcoholics. I have been to their private parties, where they fly fat hookers and singers from neighboring Gulf countries and alcohol gets served by the gallons.
You hypocrite SOBs. All you good at is being racist, cheating on your fat wives and pretending to be religious. You are the scum of this earth. Now go bang your camel and then go pray so that your pedophile prophet grants you 72 virgins after your filthy life is over 🙂
Gone too far with this.
Not really, going too far would be telling him that his clown Emir, who just signed on a new law that prohibits his sheep citizens from expressing their online freedom, is the biggest sign of weakness and intimidation from the truth.
Qatari people need to understand that they are NOT better than other people. In fact they are very inferior in terms of their knowledge, uncivilized behavior and dishonesty.
You need to relax man!!!
Brother,
Stop being a loser. Your country paid MILLIONS in bribes. It also enslaves people. Ohh, Also funds terror.
Do you really expect civilized people to want to travel to this sht-hole called Qatar?
Dubai, Egypt, Algeria and many other Arab countries are light years ahead of your country in terms of culture, heritage and civilized behavior. Stop defending Qatar. Its Emir is a dirty donkey and all he does is lie and fund terrorists.
Actually, we wrote about it because a lot of people were asking us what was happening with the WC. We wanted to bring clarity as there were a lot of irresponsible reports out there. We’ve made it clear in this story that this is just one man expressing his opinion.
well said – it also seems that the report (never to see the light of day) is to be legally challenged with a disclosure order. If FIFA have done nothing wrong, they have nothing to hide, and will present themselves for scrutiny and transparency – as long as that is being denied the credibility is rotting, and taking down all those associated with it. Qatar itself should be demanding the full publication of this report as they are being defamed by association
Wishful thinking and we all know they do NOT want it disclosed.
So you are saying this FIFA Exco member has no influence the same way as Qatar’s highest ranking football offical, Bin Hamman, had no influence over Qatar’s bid for the WC. There are a lot of people in football it seems getting really rich but not having any influence despite their high positions….
If you don’t know the rules then don’t bother to comment and exhibit your ignorance. After a nation win the hosting of a world cup event, the only thing can strip them is a wrongdoing in the bidding process and so far they are clean and the upcoming report will clear both Russia & Qatar from the silly accusations. Members of the executive committee of the FIFA only vote in where the world cup would be held, in 2010 Qatar won every round of voting. What influence you are talking about? Bin Hammam as a Qatari, he backed his countries bid and lobbied for them. What Blater and his goons accused him in have nothing to do with Qatar’s bid. BTW he was rich long before he joined the AFC & the FIFA, he is a well known business man. Noe fly away cuz there will be no troll food for you today.
I have been following your contributions silently for many months and I have to let you know that you are probably the most educated, yet logically-challenged person I have ever witnessed in here. Your articulation gives a faulty impression about what your IQ could be, only until the person reads your threads. No offense here and I am not trying to be mean at all, but seriously do you actually believe what you type in here?
Let me tell you a few things buddy. When Mr Hans-Joachim Eckert himself says, after reading the Qatar 2022 report that “I am not sure if sports and ethics can still fit together”, What does your brain tell you? Do you think this man is throwing jokes online?
Also, Why do you think the Emir, himself went to meet Sepp Blatter a few times during the time when the report was almost done and right after the report was submitted? Coincidence? OR just to give Sepp Blatter a heads-up about how the work is going :)? Common, It is one thing to brag about the MB movements and pretend you know it all, but it is completely ridiculous to be that naive. I am not sure you if you are too smart or too dumb, but whatever it is, we all know what that report contains. Stop your faulty theories because it is just making you look bad.
Why on earth do you think the report won’t be made public? If Sepp Blatter clearly supports Qatar and is one of the only FIFA big shots who won’t call a re-vote. Honestly, why do you think the report will not be made public? If the report does not have 100% smoking gun proofs about all these payments, why would Sepp Blatter not rub it in the UK media’s face? Just give me your feedback in here….
I do not care if Qatar holds the WC or not. In fact, it would give me some pleasure that I would not want to elaborate about to see the world-cup take place in Qatar. It will have a fun aspect to it, provided it is being watched from the other side of the Atlantic.
You can’t go around calling people you don’t agree with as trolls, just like you can’t call those who point at the lack of human rights as “racists”. How on earth do you expect people to respect your comments, when all you do is diss those who make sense to the majority? and on top of it, you call people “ignorant”? Who do you think you are? and why does this well respected forum allow you to call people names in here?
Please try to be more civilized because many people who come and read these forums are educated people who strive on connecting logic to make sensible conclusions.
I hope I made this clear to you and I hope you don’t go calling me a troll now that I disagreed with you.
Where to begin with!. I rarely log in Doha News let alone leaving comments on it pieces, so how come you followed my “contributions silently for many months”? The rest of what you wrote are the same wacko conspiracy theories I read on British tabloids. It’s late here and I don’t have the capacity to reply to your screenplay, but hey you will win the Oscars one day!
I present you real life events and credible formal public quotes and I draw conclusions based on sensible facts and you come back at me that it is all a conspirecy? Guess what though, this is a totally expected response from people like you.
This is what people refer to as someone living in denial. in psychology terms, it is when your brain rejects the truth because it will harm your beliefs and put your sense of belonging in a massive question.
Mojjo, I do not mind sheep who refuse reality, especially when they have fake online identities, yet call others “trolls”. If this was 2050, I would have assumed that you were a computer program. Though, if you ever want to be respected “even within the online community”, you better either leave logic to those who have it, or debate and defend your ideas through answering questions to support your theories and claims.
You can’t always draw your conclusions based on the good old three assumptions of yours (God said so, Israel is evil and Everyone hates Arabs). Again, I am not British, so calm down your anti-British defensiveness please.
Also, please expect the average reader to be educated enough and always remember that respect is only earned my man.
Wow! another long meaningless reply. I wished you good luck turning this screen play to a great movie and winning awards from it. It’s funny that I didn’t used any of your so-called “three assumptions “.
Its not the ‘rules’, you have to wine and dine FiFA officals to get the WC everyone knows that and I don’t blame Qatar for playing to game. Most countries are quite willing to bend the rules when it comes to inducements to get a WC.
So the upcoming report will clear both Russia and Qatar of any wrong doing in the bid. Apart from it being commisioned by FIFA itself and so is not independent, then why will they not publish it if they have nothing to hide. With only 4 people in the world having seen this report, it just adds more suspcion.
Jack Warner ex-FIFA VP and close buddy of Blatter said some very interesting things. When Blatter turned on him and hung him out to dry Warner said he would unleash a tsunami of damaging info against FIFA. However one week later he shut up completley. Coincidence?
“the first life-threatening case will trigger an investigation by a state prosecutor.”
Well we all know the outcome of this, assuming that it ever gets completed as no doubt the witnesses will be nowhere to be found years after the event. Nothing much to worry about then.
This is a threat. Zwanziger wants a bribe.
It has been proved that Russia & Qatar both “won” their World Cups through bribery & corruption. The true world football powers, the associations of England, Spain, Germany & Italy, will not let this matter lie.
If FIFA does not withdraw Qatar’s right to host the World Cup the powers will breakaway and FIFA will fall. Either way, Qatar will not be hosting the 2022 World Cup.
Please keep moaning all day long. England are no football power, they just have a hostile, lousy journalism, tabloid papers. Nobody give a F*** what they think, nor Germany or bankrupt Spain. Most of FIFA’s sponsors come from Middle East & Russia. Most lucrative TV coverage deals signs in the Middle East. Also there is no prove whats so ever that Russia & Qatar bribed anyone. The upcoming investigation report will double down on that. But I like how you goons talk like an old rusty imperialists.
This is getting out of hand. England INVENTED football in 1888!
England Invented the idea of what you know today as “league”. I am not even British. Germany and Spain are the powerhouses of Football even today! Germany is the first country to introduce full scale technology into the training and live match analytics in the sport and they just WON the WC!
You clearly are a very dumb man. I am ashamed to even be arguing with someone like yourself, but I kindly urge the moderators of this forum to take action against you. You are insulting many nations, when you yourself have no clue about anything!
It’s hopeless with you. Hey body! NO ONE CARE IF ENGLAND INVENTED MODERN FOOTBALL. FIFA
When you say “no one”, do you mean you, people like you and corrupt FIFA executives, whose reputation is nothing to brag about? Is this “everyone” to you?
On the upside, at least you agree that the sport is now being ran by whoever pays more rather by those who specialize in it most. I am glad that the middle east does not see a bragging pride potential “yet” in things like medical research, otherwise I would be extremely worried 🙂
No it’s not run by whoever pay more but smaller countries are getting it right by demanding rights to host the event as it should be. And the rusty Westerners are trying so hard to politicize football and sports in general. Look how some of them are calling to boycott Russia’s 2018 world cup because of Ukraine & MH17.
You should be worry. Iranian scientist won an INTL award for best cancer research oncology and blood-related cancers, for years they are advancing in this field but rarely getting media’s attention. And that is just one example.
http://www.payvand.com/news/12/jan/1245.html
“FIFA’s tournaments are run by Middle Eastern and Asian funds”.. Isn’t that what you wrote above, despite your multiple iterative edits :)?
What you do not understand is that it really has nothing to do with politics for many people and fans. Human rights in the 21st century happens to be of some major importance to many people around the globe. Just like some people (westerners mostly) who chose to pay more money not to eat animals that were raised with cruelty and in a supply chain manner. Maybe not to you though. Let alone everything else from allegations or corruption to the climate and the sporting culture.
When the institution of religion and the governing laws in the hosting country conflict with the very fundamentals of the 100s of years of traditions of a sporting event, it becomes valuable to count fans as a primary stakeholder. Don’t you think so? When the perception of “social behavioral tolerance” is not exactly what millions of fans are used to, it becomes a little worrying from the fan’s perspective to say the least. This is not Mecca in Ramadan, where travelers go knowing in advance what to expect. You are talking about fans who wait four years to go and experience their own version of having fun.
I agree about Iran’s technological brilliance. Even though Iranians are not Arab, Iran is also not an ideal place for these things given its involvement in funding terror and suppressing freedoms (like people making a video clip of them dancing, homosexual rights, women rights, Jewish people, etc…)
You need a very neutral environment that accepts “You” AND “Others” when it comes to these big events. You can’t be self centered about that matter MOJJO. This is not a game of individual pride as much as it is not a politically influenced matter as you are trying to frame it.
I personally would have loved Egypt to conduct the world cup as the country has a very rich football heritage and it is well seasoned in accepting other culture’s perception of having fun. You seem to be educated enough, that you are expected to understand that matter.
thx
I wrote about the sponsorship in an early comment so I felt it’s unnecessary to repeat it. I edit to add videos BTW. Again your lack of understanding make me cringe (with all respect). Mega sports events became a playground for politics not just lately but since the cold war when US and Western Europe boycotted 1980 Olympics in the Soviet Union then the Soviets and their a allies gave the tat and boycotted the 1984 LA games for allegations of human rights abuses and US invasion of Grenada. Now another boycott because of Ukraine. Don’t you see that your demands is politicizing it
You asked me about an achievement made by a Middle Eastern and I gave one in the field you were in sarcastic way goofing about it, “caners-researches”. I was not offering a place to host an event in. I thought we were explicit our differences in a few posts before, what you consider it human rights I consider it not. wither it’s the so called homosexuality or things disguised and wrapped as women rights like abortion on demand and prostitution. What contradict with WC traditions in Qatar? drinking alcohol during games is a European habit and Qatar said they will allow it temporarily in specific places around the stadiums even though they don’t have to. Providing alcohol is not part of the criteria to host, so you are the only one who moaning and bringing religion not me.
Funding terror? LOL! does that include funding Israel? Invading other countries on lies is terrorism but who I’m talking to! If we will go by human rights records (different understandings of people about it) then no one will host the world cup. There is no country in the world that is natural, buddy.
Egypt?! you are kidding right? A guy called Sisi is running it. The worst dictator, tyrant in the Middle East alongside Assad. He made a coup last year then murdered tens of thousands of protesters, threw elected politicians in jails, staged a farce election in which he got himself a 97% LOL. Tens of TV stations & papers closed, tanks in university campuses. He is on US payroll with $1.5 billion and They are silent about his crimes. EU is the same. Egypt is the new North Korea. Com’n James, I though you are all about human rights and world wide justice LOL!. See how your principles crumbled to ashes.
Please read:
http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/general-sisi-and-the-death-of-democracy/15151
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hrw-calls-investigation-sisi-over-raba-massacre-1642613866
Thank you for starting to show improvement symptoms while replying to the things you do not agree with. This is a great first step Mojjo. ( I am being sincere in here)
I know politics drive and has been driving sports, but this is NOT how it should be, AND this is not what it currently is for millions of people, especially fans. We can’t frame things based on what was/is mistakenly done. This is the very reason why this investigation is taking place Mojjo. You can’t offer gas contracts to get a vote for a bid Mojjo. This is called political influence ruining sports.
Thank you for pointing out that we all have our differences in life. This is the beauty of life and it is called diversity. Fans are not political experts. Millions of fans do not even know what is Israel and what is Hamas and what is any of this.
“Providing alcohol is not part of the criteria to host” – Well Budweiser happens to be a FIFA partner MOJJO. And like John Oliver said, Budweiser serve a product they insist on calling beer. So yes, it is a big part of the game my man. Homosexuality is a serious matter and Women rights is not a wrap to millions. It is a very serious matter. I would never expect you to acknowledge any of this, because they will contradict with the fundamentals of your religion.
This is why you need to conduct these types of games in a neutral environment, that accepts and does not convicts this beautiful thing called diversity.
“There is no country in the world that is natural, buddy” – Wrong! – Many countries out there allow Muslims to practice their full customs WHILE allowing Christians and even Atheists to do so as well. This is pretty neutral for the average fan (Again NO politics when it comes down to fans)
We can’t go around mixing politics and the game in one giant pot. The primary stakeholder in the tournament is the FANs. So, the perspective we need to focus on most is the fans’ perspective and not countries who invade countries. Fans do not care about any of that stuff!
Again Egypt as an example from the fan’s perspective. Obviously, the current situation in the country (political and financial) is not stable enough to begin with. I am no political expert and I am 10000% that you are far from being one yourself. It takes courage to admit that we are not subject matter experts in everything in life and I would love to assume that you are a courageous man.
Spiked-Online? Middleeasteye.net? lol.. No thanks, I don’t trust my antivirus enough to open links with names like that. hehehe.
I’m getting tired of explaining the same points to you.
-) There is no evidence whats so ever of bribing in the bid. Therefore you allegations are groundless.
-) As you said “fans are not political experts”. What fans wants are nice stadiums, hotels, transportation and the rest of logistics so they can watch the games then go home. Politicians and activists seize the moment to demand changes in laws and regulations to what suits them. There is a difference between relaxing the implementation of laws to accommodate temporary situation like hosting the WC and what you call for to be changed in the society, which we completely disagree with and it’s needless for fans who will leave as the games finish.
-) I don’t know why you are revolving on alcohol when I already said, it’s a no problem for Qatar to sell it during the games in the stadiums. That will not legalize the public consumption after the game as I mentioned in the previous point. When you said we have to focus on what is best from fans perspective, then I don’t know why you care about locals opinion about homosexuality. Regarding homosexuality, I can’t think of a deed were someone will be in trouble for other than public intercourse, that is a problem everywhere.
-) You flip-flop amazingly. Freedom of religion doesn’t make a country neutral, first you demand a place were your demands are applied then you exclude countries because you of political reasons like funding terrorism. My points on invasions and crimes of the west were response to your babbling about ‘funding terrorism’. Hold your thoughts together man.
Man you truly are unbelievable. I am not sure how a person can be like that really. It is like teaching a brick wall. I will keep repeating until you get it, I will not give up on you.
1- YES there is evidence. There are 200,000 documents as evidence. Your Emir, met Sepp Blatter 3 times in one month and the public media was told it was only to give Sepp Blatter heads up on the projects. However, this is not the Emir’s role. The irony is that after each of these meetings, Sepp Blatter would make a public speech either to assure the world cup being held in Qatar or to iterate that the report will NOT be made public. Yet, the BIGGEST evidence is after Mr Hans-Joachim Eckert said publicly after reading the report that ” HE IS NOT SURE IF ETHICS AND SPORTS can still go together) – You want to keep ignoring that?
2-No Fans want more than that Sir. Fans want to go and get laid every day. Drink until they drop. Smoke whatever they please when they please and also homosexual fans would have their own needs and freedoms. Female fans would want to go watch the games half naked like they always do. Have you seen how south American female fans dress? Is your country going to tolerate that? Last but not least, Fans might want to eat pork anywhere they want. Fans do not fancy going to your silly 5 star hotels to do any of that. Fans also care about their public safety and health and about not getting second degree sun burns while they are walking the streets. Do you understand? Have you ever been to any world cup in your life?
Fans do not give a crp about what you think is wrong and right. Fans only care about the games and having FUN. Fun can mean any of the above! – Do you understand or should you explain any further?
3- What do you mean serving alcohol in certain designated areas? Show me a plan? Show me a sketch? What if designated is 1 mile away from the stadium? Your country is known for pitching misleading and generic terms. I read the other day how a person will be prosecuted if they type anything online that goes against Qatar culture or image? HOW generic is that? Fans are not social experts to understand your hidden meanings to terms. Fans are used to watching the games in a certain way just like you are used to pray for you allah in a certain way. Would I ever be able to influence you to pray differently? Football is a religion to some people. Do you understand that or no?
4- No WRONG! Neutral meaning the MEDIUM is neutral. Meaning, the medium allows people who have conflicting social and cultural traditions to be all acceptable. Your country is SURELY not that neutral medium! You are not even allowed to have your own opinion EVEN ONLINE! – How arrogant are you to force millions to live and act like what you see is correct for 30 days?
5- I, like many people perceive HAMAS as a terrorist group. You don’t and your Emir does not. I respect your opinion and I respect your Emir’s opinion. However, Why do I need to CHANGE my beliefs for 30 days while I am in Qatar? Why?? – Qatar has no set rules in it. IF an Asian fan get into an argument with a Shiekh in your country. The Asian will go to JAIL straight. Civilized people do not work like this man. It is VERY VERY arrogant for you not to see these differences and it is equally as arrogant to keep giving a blind eye, only because it is your country.
thank you Sir,
I don’t think it has been proved yet, lots of damning allegations, lots of suspicious activity but not proved.
I think Qatar will host WC2022. All objections will be ignored, and in one years time FIFA will give the excuse that if it was taken from Qatar at this stage then it could leave itself open to legal action. The unstoppable train is rolling.
Legal actions? hmmmm hahaha you are a funny clown.
Legal action does NOT apply when you bribe and you leave a trail of 200,000 documents as a proof.
We have proven that a FIFA World Cup in Qatar in the summer is possible with state-of-the-art cooling technology.
lol – NO you did not!
All you did was a prototype that was held in a closed hall-like room, with low ceiling that never had more than 5,000 people at once in it!.. A football stadium will contain 80,000 people and it’s roof will be tens of meters high. A clueless man speaking about technology is an insult to any reader, who knows about technology.
Your slave-state should worry about not enslaving its migrant workers and not funding terror before dragging millions of civilized people into a desert, where rich creeps behave as if it is the 16th century. Nothing against games being held in the middle east, as countries like Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, etc have a much bigger heritage and culture in the game and in dealing with civilized tourists and fans.
What a shame to be a Qatari or to live in this ridiculous slave state.
I feel like some senior executives at FIFA regret their vote for Qatar and would like to see the country stripped of the hosting rights as a way to rectify their “mistake”. I also think it is getting a bit political now with the new image of Qatar (spread by both Western and GCC media) as the main supporter of terrorism (ISIS) and Islamism (Brotherhood) in the world. If you add to that the constant pressure from NGOs on labour rights, it becomes understandable that many at FIFA are not happy with the situation, and are getting increasingly vocal in their criticism of the decision to award Qatar the 2022 WC.
Very good summary. I am also very critical of some of the issues you mention, but part of me says…well what is done is done, how do we rectify it, heal the human damage, political damage, world wide image and move forward. Use the WC as a vehicle to mend the injustices (real or perceived)? As a Qatari (I presume from previous posts you are, or are a very long time resident), how does Qatar recover and do so? it would be a great story if the WC drove change for the better, agreed?
I am not Qatari and I fully agree that Qatar has a lot to do
to improve its human rights record, but I think FIFA has no lessons to give to
Qatar. This corrupt dictatorial institution needs to be cleaned from top to
bottom and the first to be ejected are those senior officials like Theo
Zwanziger. If this Theo was a sincere and honest man he wouldn’t even have
joined such an institution in the first place, but like his peers, he is more
interested in the financial aspect of the position. Ethics and integrity are
not part of his job description.
So then why would someone join who may have an agenda to clean it up?
Ok agreed, but what I’m saying is that why doesn’t Qatar stand up and say, look we have made mistakes in the past, we are a relatively young and developing nation, we have signed up to Un treaties on such and such and we are going to honour them. The legacy of the WC will not only be the show we put on, but also the change we made as a country, and the leadership we have shown in the Middle East. Show some leadership in human rights, safety, equality etc. The time is right for them to do so, the wealth can facilitate it., the WC can promote it. Just saying….
Let’s suppose that the World Cup was held in England. It would of course be held in the summer.
This summer in England temperatures soared to 35c. There is no A.C. Anywhere- I mean Anywhere. Would it have been cancelled due to concerns at players or fans dying? Temperatures in Brazil exceeded those in Qatar for some of the matches at this year’s WC. I don’t recall reports of players dropping like flies.
Keep it in Qatar. Keep it in the summer. Play the matches after sunset. Air-cooled stadia, air cooled transport and fan zones, it will be amazing
So that one day in England when it hits 35C is a problem? Most people consider 35C a miracle in England. Plus that is the high, in the mornings and evenings the temp would drop to the teens.
In Qatar it hits 48C and then drops to a low of 32C, hardly any resbite.
Second point- Westerners seem to find holidaying in Dubai okay. I was in Abu Dhabi in August and the beachfront was filled with people basking in the same sun as Qatar, except it was also incredibly humid. Not a single ambulance standing by….
They are very hypocrites.
Yes, lets play the games in the sea so the players can cool down….
maybe introduce a halftime swim
What’s the need for all this blablabla news Qatar will and will not host the world cup 2022. Folks lets keep aside climate and think of common things like culture and muslim religion respect or even infrastructure, all this gives Qatar less points to host the world cup. First world cup periods falls in the time of fasting which in the muslim religion they will not eat or drink anything in public before 6:30pm, how will the population handle that or will Qatar change their fasting periods? and what will that mean? Secondly social life is not free here like in other countries, will Qatar lift up those laws?. Thirdly Alcohol is prohibited outside of hotels and what brings life to sport like football is when people get high with stuff like Alcohol, will all this laws be lifted?. Forth point I don’t see Qatar doing anything about the traffic with only 2m people how will they manage world’s population? There are more than 200 shopping malls with no parking space with only 2m people how will they handle world’s population? Qatar has a lot to lose in hosting the world regarding the respect of muslim religion because world cup brings a lot of bad morals such as prostitution which I know is prohibited by the law of Qatar. FIFA will make a big mistake to host the world in this tiny rich country.