Embattled FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the Qatar World Cup a day before the tournament begins, accusing critics of the nation’s human rights record of hypocrisy.
a day before the tournament begins, accusing critics of the nation’s human rights record of hypocrisy.
“For what we Europeans have been doing for the past 3,000 years, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years, before starting to give moral lessons to people,” he said Saturday. He began an almost-hour-long speech by saying: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker.”
After a last-minute change on Friday to the rules on alcohol sales at the event, there are fears that other regulations governing the tournament may also be altered. Infantino tried to reassure the LGBTQ community they’d be safe, despite Qatar’s laws prohibiting homosexuality.Infantino said the Qatar tournament brought many challenges, including having so many stadiums within a relatively short distance of one another.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
FIFA President Infantino says double standard behind World Cup criticsThe FIFA president delivered a one-hour tirade on the eve of the World Cup's opening match, and then spent about 45 minutes answering questions from media about the Qatari government's actions and a wide-range of other topics.
Read more »
FIFA President Infantino scolds World Cup critics in extraordinary diatribeThe FIFA president delivered a one-hour tirade on the eve of the World Cup's opening match, and then spent about 45 minutes answering questions from media about the Qatari government's actions and a wide-range of other topics.
Read more »
FIFA President says fans 'will survive' without beer at World CupFIFA president Gianni Infantino downplayed Qatar's last minute ban on the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums as nothing more than a brief inconvenience to spectators.
Read more »
'I feel gay', FIFA chief attempts to empathize with marginalizedAL RAYYAN — FIFA President Gianni Infantino raised eyebrows on Saturday when he attempted to show empathy with marginalized groups by telling reporters in…
Read more »
FIFA chief accuses critics of Qatar of hypocrisy ahead of World CupAL RAYYAN — FIFA president Gianni Infantino accused critics of World Cup host Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers of hypocrisy on Saturday, adding that…
Read more »
'I feel gay': FIFA chief attempts to empathize with marginalizedGianni Infantino praises Qatar for bringing in migrants to work, many of whom were subjected to discrimination, wage theft and other abuses
Read more »