Gianni Infantino gave himself a long, very theatrical monologue on the eve of the opening of the 2022 World Cup. The Italian-Swiss leader of the International Federation of American Football (Fifa) highlighted his Italian origins for ensure that they feel close to the migrants who have come to work in Doha under conditions denounced by human rights organisations. Criticizing the “moral lessons” of Qatar’s detractors, which he says are “hypocrisy”, he also claimed to feel “Arab”, “gay” and “migrant worker”.
“Today I feel Qatari, today I feel Arab, today I feel African, today I feel gay, today I feel disabled, today, I feel like a migrant worker,” he recited in this introductory anaphora. “It takes me back to my personal story, because I am the son of migrant workers,” he said. “I know what it means to be discriminated against, to be harassed, as a foreigner. As a child, I was discriminated against (in Switzerland) because I was red and I had freckles, I was Italian, I spoke German badly. »
“These biased moral lessons are just hypocrisy”
Faced with the numerous criticisms of which Fifa has been the target because of the working conditions of the workers on the construction sites of the World Cup, Gianni Infantino affirmed that the international federation was one of the few to worry about their fate. “Among the big companies making billions in Qatar, how many have settled the issue of the fate of migrant workers? None, because a change in legislation means less profit. But we did it,” he said, before asking himself: “Why does no one recognize this progress? »
“These biased moral lessons are just hypocrisy,” said Gianni Infantino, head of world football’s supreme body since 2016 and the only candidate for his succession in 2023. “For all that we, the Europeans, have been doing for 3,000 years, we should apologize for the next 3,000 years before we start giving people moral lessons,” he added.
He referred to articles published in several countries, Spain, England, France, describing as “false supporters” the fans of South Asia showing their support for teams taking part in the World Cup. “It’s pure racism. Everyone in the world has the right to encourage whoever they want. »
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Qatar is regularly criticized by NGOs for its treatment of migrant workers, particularly in the construction, security and domestic work sectors, as well as LGBTQ+ people. These accusations are vigorously rejected by the authorities, who point out that they have reformed their labor laws and by the Qatari organizers of the World Cup, who ensure that members of the LGBTQ+ community will be welcomed without discrimination, despite laws criminalizing sexual relations between people. of the same sex in the country. The leader assured that the Qatari authorities had given him the guarantee that “everyone” was “welcome” during the tournament, which takes place from November 20 to December 18.
Fans can ‘survive’ without ‘beer for three hours’
As for the volte-face of the Qatari authorities who suddenly banned the sale of alcohol near the stadiums, it was brushed aside by the Swiss: “I personally think that we can survive without beer During three hours. Whether in France, Spain, Scotland. »
Beyond the consumption of alcohol itself, several associations of supporters were worried about this sudden reversal. How can you be sure that there won’t be any on other subjects? What will happen if foreign supporters sport the rainbow colors or if couples show signs of affection, in this conservative country where homosexuality and sex outside marriage are criminalized? Several Western selections have reiterated their intention not to evade these human rights issues during their stay in Qatar. The English and German federations have warned that they are ready to pay fines imposed by Fifa if necessary. The Americans want to adorn their base camp with a multicolored flag.
The captains of eight selections have also stated their intention to wear an inclusive armband during the competition. The goalkeeper of the French world champions, Hugo Lloris, however, announced that he was renouncing this initiative, which earned him criticism in his country. But England captain Harry Kane’s arm will be watched by millions on Monday ahead of the game against Iran. This question of human rights therefore continues to dominate the news of the World Cup on the eve of the curtain raising.
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Most of the 32 teams have arrived. Brazil, expected overnight from Saturday to Sunday, will be the last selection to land, with no doubt thousands of supporters to welcome Neymar and co. Gianni Infantino doubtless dreams that the probable scenes of jubilation will help to finally put football in the foreground and to forget the controversies.