To the point of arousing a strong reply on Saturday from the boss of world football, the Swiss Gianni Infantino, who attacked the “hypocrites” of Western countries who, for the price of what they have done “over the past 3,000 years “, should apologize for “the next 3,000 (…) before giving moral lessons to others”, especially on human rights.
It is not certain that this inaugural and theatrical press conference by the President of Fifa, who explained that he felt at the same time “Qatari”, “Arab”, “African”, “gay”, “migrant worker”, end the criticism by the time most of the 32 teams have arrived in Qatar.
Neymar’s Brazil will be the last to land on Saturday evening, a few hours from Qatar-Ecuador (Sunday 5:00 p.m.).
All the actors will then be there, ready to host one of the biggest planetary events which will bring together more than a billion viewers for the final on December 18, in the superb Lusail stadium, a golden shell placed at the gates of the desert.
The other favorites have followed one another all week: the French defending champions, diminished by injuries but whose squad remains impressive, then the Argentinians, who dream of offering the supreme coronation to Lionel Messi, 35, and doing so. join Diego Maradona in the Albiceleste legend, for his fifth and final attempt.
Apart from Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil of Pelé (1958 and 1962), no world champion has kept his property.
The English, inventors of the game but in an endless quest for the title since 1966, the Spaniards or the rejuvenated and talented Germans, even the Netherlands of the experienced Louis van Gaal, are also credible candidates.
Probably more than a Belgium in decline or Portugal perhaps disturbed by the resounding divorce of its headliner Cristiano Ronaldo with Manchester United.
– In history –
Whatever the spectacle offered by the giants of the game, this Mondial-2022 will go down in history.
It is the first in the Arab world; also the first to interrupt a professional football season, scheduled for the end of autumn to avoid the unbearable heat of this tiny desert country, as big as Cyprus or the Paris region.
Above all, never had an organizing country faced such an uninterrupted stream of criticism: first there were accusations of corruption to win on the wire the decision of Fifa in 2010 against the American giant.
Then came criticism of the environmental impact of an event which, according to various estimates, would have cost more than 200 billion euros, and required pharaonic infrastructure, with the construction ex nihilo of seven stadiums and the renovation of the eighth.
Above all, there was the question of human rights, especially those of LGBTQ people, in a country where homosexuality and sexual relations outside marriage are crimes.
What will the captains of the eight selections who have announced their intention to wear a multicolored armband during their meetings do?
The Frenchman Hugo Lloris finally gave up this initiative which displeased Gianni Infantino, who curtly asked the 32 selections to “focus on football”.
– Migrant workers –
The fate reserved for migrant workers, who run this country of less than three million inhabitants, nearly 90% of whom are foreigners, has also been singled out.
Qatar, which detects “racism” behind these attacks, insists on the progress made in its social legislation in record time, and denies that thousands of workers have died on its sites.
“To say that we should not focus on human rights at the World Cup, that really irritated me”, said the president of the German Federation (DFB) Bernd Neuendorf, ready “to pay fines” on the issue, like the English federation.
Qatari authorities have repeatedly promised that all fans will be welcomed “without discrimination”, while calling on the expected million visitors to respect local culture and sensitivities.
The volte-face of the Qatari authorities, who suddenly banned the sale of alcohol near the stadiums on Friday, raises questions.
For Alex Burgos, a 45-year-old Mexican who is carving out a great success on the Doha Corniche with his wrestling mask, “it’s not a problem, we knew there would be restrictions” on alcohol. And in the opinion of Gianni Infantino, fans can “survive” without “beer for three hours”…
– Iran observed –
That is not the problem for the FSA, the association of English supporters, thousands of whom are expected Monday for the match of the Three Lions against Iran: after this sudden reversal, “supporters will have understandable concerns” on the ability of local authorities “to keep their promises on other issues”.
How will the security forces react to a rainbow flag, a couple kissing on the open voice, or drunken supporters?
The early Saturday evening opening of the Fifa Fan Zone, where alcohol is allowed, will be a test.
There will be another on Sunday and especially on Monday, with three matches in Doha during the day: it will be necessary to transport tens of thousands of supporters to the stadiums, an unprecedented flow management in Qatar.
Another subject that could push sport into the background is the behavior of Iranian players. Will they voice their support for protests against the regime? It will be a “personal decision”, replied this week their captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Their debut against England and their match against the United States on the 29th, rematch of the historic World Cup-1998 meeting, will be the center of attention.
