FIFA president Gianni Infantino has accused World Cup critics of hypocrisy during a news conference on the eve of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Infantino’s comments come the day before the World Cup begins in a country which has been criticised over a range of human rights issues since it was named as host of the tournament twelve years ago, including allegations of human rights violations and treatment of migrant workers. Homosexuality is illegal in the conservative Muslim country, and some soccer players have raised concerns for fans travelling to the event, especially lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and women, who rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented on what he deems a double standard by the west with respect to questioning the morals and labour practices of Qatar.
“We are told many, many lessons from some Europeans, from the Western world. I am European. Actually, I am European. Not just I feel European. I think for what we have been doing for 3 000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3 000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people,” Infantino said referring specifically to the criticism against Qatar on the treatment of migrant workers.
The FIFA president has urged those already in Qatar as well as those who will be in the country to cover the tournament for the media globally to look to the joys the 29-day festival of football will bring.
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