Two months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar (November 20 to December 18), the hosts, like the world association FIFA, have again come under heavy criticism.
At a human rights congress on the campus of the German Football Association (DFB) in Frankfurt/Main, the pressure on the emirate and FIFA increased from many quarters. The role of the DFB was also critically questioned.
Specifically, the International Building and Wood Workers’ Union (BWI) has asked FIFA to set up a $440 million compensation fund for the families of workers who died or were injured on World Cup construction sites. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf supported the establishment of such a fund.
The “Unsere KURK” fan alliance demanded that the DFB “become part of a progressive alliance” so that the supporters could “look forward to such football festivals again in the future”.
In addition, the association had to forego any World Cup winnings in order not to enrich itself at the major event. All profits should be made available to the “disenfranchised”.
Qatar’s ambassador to Germany, Abdulla Bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, defended his country against criticism. Qatar has started reforms and is on the “right path”, but needs “still time”.