Amidst an influx of criticism against the FIFA World Cup host Qatar over stringent guidelines for fans and controversy over fans, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has sparked a massive row with his shocking remarks during a press conference, 24 hours ahead of the tournament opener where host Qatar faces Ecuador.
Speaking in a press conference, he said, "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." In the course of his speech he further added, "I know what it feels [like] to be discriminated [against]… I was bullied because I had red hair.”
Watch the Video Here:
FIFA President Gianni Infantino at news conference in Doha: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker” pic.twitter.com/GozWBXd1Fd
— Dan Roan (@danroan) November 19, 2022
Posting the video of the press conference Sports Editor of BBC News Dan Roan wrote, “FIFA President Gianni Infantino at a news conference in Doha: “Today I feel Qatari. Today I feel Arab. Today I feel African. Today I feel gay. Today I feel disabled. Today I feel a migrant worker”
The host nation has been embroiled in countless controversies, which also include accusations of them bribing to win the World Cup bid. Qatar also received plenty of criticism on Friday, after banning beer in the stadiums during the tournament. Also, the organizers have been accused of using fake paid fans during the parade in Doha.
Gripped under widespread criticism thrown at them, Infantino has supported Qatar. Apart from fans players like Portuguese Bruno Fernandez and Danish Christian Eriksen have also not appreciated Qatar hosting the mega sporting event which happens to be history’s most expensive tournament ever.
Over to that several musicians have also turned down the offer to perform at the WC opening ceremony. Most recently, Dua Lipa refused to perform in the WC and made her stance on the prevailing nuances of human rights in the country the reason for doing such. In her Instagram post, she wrote, "I will be cheering England on from afar and I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup. One Love, Dua.”