Qatar 2022: More than just a footballing issue

FIFA announced in December 2010 that the 2022 World Cup would be hosted by Qatar.  With the United States and Australia also prime candidates, it seemed improbable that the Arab state would get the honour.  The tournament, which is nine years away, has been shrouded in controversy and sparked numerous debates on their ability to host.  Straight away, there were accusations of bribery from the world’s wealthiest nation, Qatar, to footballs governing body, FIFA.

The temperature issue remains for players and fans travelling across the country.  Harold Mayne – Nicholls, author of FIFA’s inspection report, stated; “It was a little bit obvious, it won’t be easy for the players.  Now, after almost three years, it is still a subject on the table” One solution is to move the tournament to winter for the first time.

A Guardian investigation revealed that 44 Nepalese workers died between 4 June and 8 August due to exhaustion, heart failure and workplace accidents. They are not projects directly related to the world cup, it is related to the construction of Lusail City, a city that will be built from scratch – costing close to $45 billion – and will be the location of the 90,000-seater state of the art stadium that will host the final.

It is estimated by The Guardian report that nearly a dozen migrant workers will die per week, which will amass to almost 4,000 deaths by the time World Cup commences.

You do not have to scratch too far beneath the surface to discover the issues of Qatar hosting the World Cup.  FIFA has to take responsibility for their wrongdoings.  There should have been a re-vote when a winter world cup was being discussed as the original bidding process specified that it is be to be hosted in the summer.  Following that, the investigation into slavery should have been another valid reason for a re-vote as it is no longer strictly a footballing issue but instead, a human rights case that needs to be focused on.