FIFA World Cup Countdown Clock on Doha’s corniche. AP
Doha: Dealing with a storm of European criticism forward of the beginning of the World Cup, Qatar on Tuesday stepped up its diplomatic and media riposte which has included threatening “authorized” motion to defend its title.
5 days from the opening recreation, Qatar’s chief World Cup organiser mentioned assaults on the Gulf state had been launched as a result of it “competed as equals and snatched” the World Cup from rival bidders. A senior member of the Qatar Soccer Affiliation known as European critics “the enemy”.
Dealing with criticism of its therapy of overseas employees and rights for ladies and the LGBTQ group, the rich Gulf state has lengthy used the case that everybody is “welcome” on the World Cup and mentioned opponents had been performing in dangerous religion.
The tone has modified in latest weeks, highlighted by feedback by the emir, Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al-Thani, who informed the nationwide legislature on October 25 that Qatar had confronted an “unprecedented” and rising marketing campaign” that smacked of “double requirements”.
Three days later, the German ambassador to Doha was summoned over feedback made by his nation’s inside minister casting doubt on whether or not Qatar ought to host the World Cup.
In an interview with AFP, Qatar’s Labour Minister Ali bin Samikh Al Marri mentioned “racism” was behind the onslaught on his nation’s file. “They don’t need to permit a small nation, an Arab nation, an Islamic nation, to organise the World Cup,” he mentioned.
Qatar’s media has spoken of a “systematic conspiracy” by European rivals. Al Sharq newspaper slammed “the vanity” of some European international locations.
On a latest European tour, International Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani mentioned within the media interviews that there was “loads of hypocrisy in these assaults”.
World Cup ‘enemy’
“They’re being peddled by a really small variety of individuals, in 10 international locations at most, who’re by no means consultant of the remainder of the world,” he informed Le Monde with out naming these concerned.
After a latest British media report on the hacking of opponents of Qatar’s World Cup internet hosting, a authorities official warned: “Qatar is not going to stand by when confronted by such baseless allegations, and all our authorized choices at our disposal are being explored to make sure these accountable are held to account.”
The bitterness expressed in some newspaper editorials is beginning to be seen in feedback by some officers.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Thani, a member of the Qatar Soccer Affiliation government, informed Al-Sharq in an interview printed Tuesday: “For me, the presence of the enemy is a blessing and never a curse, as a result of this will likely push you to do your work in the absolute best method.”
Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary basic of Qatar’s organising committee, informed Al Jazeera tv that the Gulf state’s unnamed opponents had been jealous of its internet hosting.
“The campaigns are resulting from the truth that Qatar is an Arab nation that was capable of compete as equals and snatch the internet hosting of the event.”
He mentioned the assaults had been primarily based on “the stereotyped picture of the Arab world, which is likely one of the causes we fought to host the World Cup, to vary the stereotyped concept about Arabs.”
A European diplomat in Doha mentioned the Qatar authorities had reached “the tip of the road with the criticism.”
“They blame us although little or no is coming from governments,” added the diplomat, talking on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
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