Before the World Cup is after the World Cup. If the correct lessons are not drawn from Qatar, the next award might be even worse.
 |
| Qatar World Cup 2022 closing ceremony |
The World Cup came to a close with an incredible final and Argentina's well-deserved win. Even if the players, particularly their extraordinary talent Lionel Messi, did not achieve the desired triumph, the final was a highlight for hosts Qatar and their sports-washing campaign. The superstars of Qatar club Paris St. Germain were on both sides: Kylian Mbappé, who was purchased for 180 million euros in 2017 and has a contract until 2022, should make more than 600 million euros in three years. And old master Messi, who arrived on a free transfer with an expected salary of 40 million euros plus greatly increased yearly advertising earnings.
With the bold move of draping a black robe with gold trimmings on the Argentine World Cup hero before the trophy was handed over, Emir Tamim bin Hamad symbolically demonstrated that Qatar's representation of its own interests is a world champion. Qatar were ousted in the preliminary round, although they remain global champions.
Since the ball started rolling, particularly with Morocco's passionate and unexpected performance, but especially with this heart-stopping final, the attention has shifted away from criticizing the host country. The argument about human rights, murdered migrant laborers, and the devaluation of the LGBTIQ community seemed to have faded into obscurity. A argument, however, that was primarily European in nature and was rarely held in other parts of the world. In Germany, a broad boycott movement supported by the fan scene was able to not only express its displeasure, but also offer creative and non-commercial alternatives, such as specially organized football tournaments, increased attention for the current women's Bundesliga, broadcasts of historical games, and pub quizzes. On German TV, the ratings collapsed drastically, this time only a little more than half of the viewers watched the 2018 World Cup in Russia. A trend that was not felt elsewhere, FIFA even celebrated attendance records in many countries.
The European associations competing in the World Cup also failed horribly in their endeavor to film and disseminate at least a percentage of the fan feedback. Seven organisations had said unequivocally that they wished to set a good example on the job. With the multicolored "One Love" bandage, this was never meant to replace the rainbow flag, which was unpopular in Qatar and was nonetheless criticized by FIFA as an apparently unacceptable political statement. Even the innocuous "One Love"-Binde was too bright for FIFA and host Qatar: When FIFA issued sports punishments in addition to fines - most likely a yellow card for the captain - even this doubtful sign was gathered.
The gag for the DFB and its European allies was a display of power by FIFA, notably its President Gianni Infantino, who in his odd opening news conference blasted any criticism of Qatar as an intolerable double standard. It was viewed similarly in the Arab world: German firms were actively involved in the World Cup in Qatar and the much-criticized World Cup construction sitesco-earned. But for Infantino, the allegation of double standards was a device to quiet criticism of what he continually highlighted was "the finest World Cup of all time". This technique worked, albeit the corruption incident involving Greek MEP Eva Kaili indicates that the crooked morass was likely much deeper than anticipated.
In addition to Qatar, the World Cup surprise team's leadership is embroiled in a bribery controversy. Morocco has been attempting to exert a major impact on European politics for years due to the Western Sahara problem. As part of the inquiry, the head of the International Trade Union Confederation was also detained, raising the issue of whether the often effusive union plaudits for Qatari labor law amendments was purchased.
Large human rights groups, like as Amnesty International, do not reveal their judgments, which would otherwise represent Qatari commercial partners like FC Bayern. They claim that whenever improvements and harsher standards were implemented, they were frequently bypassed on the ground. Human rights groups are concerned that once the World Cup is over, the protections put in place would be discreetly reversed. Especially following the last whistle at Al-Lusail-Stadion, it is critical to examine migrant rights not just in Qatar, but also in neighboring Gulf States. The chances for this, though, remain poor. Human rights advocates claim that FIFA has not even provided compensation to the families of migrants murdered in preparation for the World Cup.
Above all, as a result of the Qatar debate, there are still no answers to the most essential of all questions: What tangible improvements will arise from this World Cup in order to prevent a similar calamity from occurring again soon? Because after the World Cup comes before the World Cup: Saudi Arabia has already stated that it would host the World Cup in 2030. The application will be marketed as the "Three Continents World Cup" in collaboration with Greece and Egypt. Particularly hot: World Cup icon Lionel Messi has been Saudi Arabia's high-paid tourist ambassador since May 2022, despite his own association's desire to compete with Uruguay and Chile for the 2030 World Cup.
In comparison to the potential of a tournament in Saudi Arabia, the Qatar debate appears to be a tempest in a teacup: the country is home to a large number of political prisoners who face torture and execution. Minority rights are violently repressed. Many signs point to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordering the murder of Saudi journalist-in-exile Jamal Khashoggi. Egypt, too, has a dismal record on human rights under President Sisi. However, it would be naive to believe that this diminishes the odds of receiving an award. Saudi Arabia has already landed the Asian Winter Games in 2029 and has not only been catching up with the attempt to instrumentalize the sport for political and economic goals since the acquisition of Premier League ClubNewcastle United 2021 on. FIFA President Infantino and the Saudi Crown Prince share a warm bond, which they also showcased in Doha.
The 2030 World Cup will not be granted in the same questionable manner that Russia and Qatar received in 2010. At the time, the FIFA Executive Council was selected in secret vote by 22 officials (out of a total of 24 members, two of whom had previously been suspended due to corruption). The next prize will be presented during the FIFA Congress in 2024, when all associations will be present. At the very least, it makes backroom negotiations more difficult. However, Infantino has long had enough sympathizers in his cronies. He is almost certain to be re-elected in March 2023, as no opposition candidates are in the running.
Europeans and the DFB are almost alone in asking for reforms and greater openness, especially given their own lack of credibility. The DFB indicated in mid-November that they would not support Infantino in the upcoming FIFA presidential election because they wanted "a greater commitment to human rights," but have now backed down. There is probably only one way to truly reverse FIFA's harmful course: if the big European associations throw their weight behind the boycott or departure from FIFA. In light of the "One Love"-discussion, such a revolutionary action as the Danish federation took immediately after the start of the World Cup seemed inconceivable. Instead, everything indicates that the European federations will protect their own economic interests and submit to the line of FIFA and its flamboyant president. In all probability, Infantino will be re-elected in March 2023, he does not need the votes of the Europeans.
There will very definitely be a lot of discussion about bombastic "reforms" that will have little effect. FIFA already has a sufficient number of anti-discrimination or human rights regulations and governing bodies to ensure compliance. However, as long as these are not used in a binding manner, it will all be for naught. The Europeans don't have much time to put pressure; without a clear stance from the DFB and UEFA, the next World Cup calamity is on the horizon.
The author Dr. René Wildangel is a historian, lecturer at the International Hellenic University in Thessaloniki, Greece and author specializing in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.