FIFA chief Gianni Infantino hits back at Qatar critics citing ‘restrictions’ and ‘human rights violation’

Qatar and FIFA have come under fire from fans and critics alike after concerns raised by many groups. These concerns are about the rights of LGBTQ, alleged negligence toward migrant workers, restriction on fans, etc. In reply to this, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino held a press conference that lasted as long as a football game. First of all, he urged people to “look for excuses to bring people together” and not seek to divide.

He was then asked whether England should play their opening game against Iran citing ‘women’s rights’. In reply, he said “It is not two regimes playing each other, not two ideologies, it is two football teams.”. Not to forget, it is reported that a lot of migrant workers died who worked to keep the preparations going. To which, Infantino replied by quoting a report from international not-for-profit Human Rights Watch.

It has been critical of Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers. It also said that 25,000 died in Europe since 2014 because of the continent’s migration policies, 1,200 of them this year. After quoting the report, FIFA chief said “Why is no one asking for compensation? Where are we going with our way of working guys?”

Switzerland wasn’t so inclusive at one point in time: Gianni Infantino

Gianni also pointed out how Switzerland, which is currently known to be inclusive as a society was ‘friendly to outsiders’. He defended Qatar by saying that the nation is making a progress.

“And the same Switzerland has today become an example of inclusion, of tolerance of nationalities working together with rights, Qatar’s made progress as well.” Set for a third term as FIFA head, Infantino said when he came to Doha for the first time, he was “brought back into my childhood” seeing the conditions of the workers. “And I said to the people of Qatar, this is not right, we have to do something about it.”