FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed numerous topics at the opening press conference for the World Cup in Qatar and apparently got rid of his frustration ahead of the opening game. And once again tries to free the tournament, which has been harshly criticized again and again, from any criticism. The key statements at a glance.
Gianni Infantino on...
… his feelings before the start of the World Cup: “Today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arabic, today I feel African, today I feel gay, today I feel disabled, today I feel like a guest worker. Me feel that way because I've seen it all."
... the double standard of the Qatar critics: "This one-sided moral preaching is pure hypocrisy. For what we Europeans have done in the past 3,000 years, we should apologize for the next 3,000 years before we start teaching people moral lessons granted."
... the progress in Qatar: "Of course there are things that aren't working yet. It's a process. Do you know when women in my home country of Switzerland were given the right to vote in the last canton? In the 1990s. Let's go to the Look in the mirror. And let's try to persuade others through exchange, not through one-sided morality."
... the guest workers in Qatar: "Qatar offers them a perspective. Here they earn ten times what they earn in their homeland. And they do it legally. We in Europe are closing our borders and we don't allow these people to work legally in Europe. We all know that there is illegal work in Europe. If you really cared about the fate of these people, what Qatar is doing offers: Opportunities! Legal opportunities. Give them jobs, give them security. "
... a compensation fund for workers: "Qatar has set up an insurance fund. Since 2018, this fund has paid out more than $350 million, mostly for unpaid wages, but also for accidents. Any worker who has an accident gets one by law Compensation. I assume that this will not change in the next four years and that another 350 million will be paid. It can also be more, hopefully less."
... LGBTQ rights in Qatar: "I have spoken to the government several times about this. They have confirmed that everyone is welcome - regardless of religion, race, sexual orientation or belief. If someone says the opposite, it is That's not the opinion of the country and not that of FIFA. It's a process. If I asked my father, who is no longer here, he might give me a different opinion. It takes time, but the doors are starting to open ."
... the criticism of allegedly bought fan parades: "Everyone in the world has the right to be for whoever. Can someone who looks like an Indian not be for Germany or Spain? Tolerance begins with ourselves. That is Racism, pure racism - this has to stop."
... a demanded exclusion of Iran from the World Cup: "There are not two regimes, not two ideologies playing against each other, but two teams. Do we have to exclude everyone because a few people are bad? Do you think that all Iranians are monsters? You criticize and split. Do you want another world war? Okay, keep it up."
… the beer ban: "If fans can't drink beer for three hours a day, they will survive. There are the same rules in France, Spain or Scotland, where no beer is allowed in the stadiums. Honestly : If that's our biggest issue at the World Cup, then I'll sign it right away, go to the beach and relax until December 18."
... the statement by ex-FIFA boss Joseph S. Blatter that the award to Qatar was a mistake: "I wasn't there at the time, I was rather known as one of the biggest critics of FIFA. I've been FIFA President since 2016 , since then there have been many changes. The recognition of human rights is now part of an application."
... the 2022 World Cup: "Doha is ready, Qatar is ready. Of course it will be the best World Cup ever. As soon as the ball rolls, people focus on it. Because that's what they want, that's the magic of the Soccer."
... Fans who don't want to watch the World Cup: "Many people probably watch secretly anyway. If you're a football fan, there's nothing bigger than a World Cup. Anyone who watches will see the best football of all time and the greatest emotions. The fans will enjoy it as they have never enjoyed a World Cup. I am convinced that this World Cup will help open the eyes of many Westerners to the Arab world."
