comment
FIFA is celebrating its club world championship in the United States-another tournament, another event, these days. While the FIFA club world champion is played on the lawn, it is further displaced, concealed and forgotten away from the headlight light.
A case in particular shows how big the gap is between FIFA-PR and reality: the Abdullah Ibhais case. The former media director of the World Cup organization committee in Qatar believed in the project-a soccer World Cup that was supposed to bridge. But when he witnessed how striking guest workers receive no wages in 2019, he begins to ask questions and makes it clear internally that PR should not stand above humanity and the truth.
“I was a prisoner of the World Cup “
An internal procedure is initiated against him two months after the strike. The accusation: was awarded to the allocation of a social media order. The internal results will later be forwarded to the Qatarian police. Ibhais is arrested. According to his own statements, he is presented with a prefabricated confession – with the clear message: Should he not sign, threaten violence. He signs out of fear.
“I was a prisoner of the World Cup”says Abdullah Ibhais today. “They didn’t want me to speak. They thought I was a danger to that image The World Cup. So they held me until they got what they wanted. “ It is clear to him: the investigation is a direct reaction to his criticism-especially in his supervisor at the time, the mighty World Cup boss Hassan al-Thawadi.
The Qatarian organizational committee always vehemently rejects this presentation. To date, the Qatarian government has not responded to the allegations.
FC Bayern as a “ally” of Qatar
In October 2021, Abdullah Ibhais handed me over internal documents. They show how the World Cup OK deals with critical reporting on labor and human rights- and that the image of Qatar is above all. Incidentally, it also becomes clear from the documents. “Ally” The following applies: a former German ambassador and FC Bayern Munich. You want to warn this early in the event of critical reporting. When the ARD sports show and other media report on its case, Abdullah Ibhais – despite the ongoing appeal – is again arrested and remains in custody in Qatar for three and a half years.
He is one Whistleblower. And he paid a very high price for this. Ibhais turns to FIFA, submits documents, asks for help via the official whistleblower system. The world association speaks publicly of “Right to a fair procedure” and confirms the receipt of the documents. Not more.
The FIFA continues to celebrate
I have been accompanying this case since the first day. What was evident early on is clear today: FIFA failed in the Ibhais case. And she just keeps going. The view of the World Association has long been aimed at the front: The men’s World Cup 2034 will take place in Saudi Arabia – an authoritarian state without freedom of the press, without independent judiciary, with systematic human rights violations.
This allocation was only possible by a classic FIFA rear room deal: the World Cup 2030 – completely irrational – is distributed to three continents. This cleared the way for Saudi Arabia in 2034. Without real competition. Without a critical debate.
The Abdullah Ibhais case is not an isolated case, but a system case. It shows what happens when loyalty and business count more than truth. If silence is rewarded and when criticism is answered with punishment. The FIFA continues. And leaves people like Abdullah Ibhais behind.