FIFA chief Infantino goes on the attack in Qatar World Cup speech

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has gone on the attack as he spoke to the world’s media a day before the World Cup gets underway in Qatar. The Middle East country won the right to host the tournament in 2010 but have since come under fire for its human rights record, treatment of migrant workers and stance on same-sex relationships.

However, Infantino has launched an impassioned defence of the Qatar World Cup and claimed in an extraordinary speech that Europe should not be giving ‘moral lessons’ on migrant workers, that ‘no one cares’ about disabled people around the world and that he knows what discrimination feels like because he used to have red hair.

.“It is not easy to take the critics of a decision that was made 12 years ago,” Infantino said at a press conference. “Qatar 2022 is ready, it will be the best FIFA World Cup ever. I am European. For what we have been doing for 3000 years around the world, we should be apologising for the next 3000 years before giving moral lessons.

“I don’t have to defend Qatar, they can defend themselves. I defend football. If Europe really care about the destiny of these people, they can create legal channels – like Qatar did – where a number of these workers can come to Europe to work. Give them some future, some hope.

“This one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy. I wonder why no one recognises the progress made here since 2016. I have difficulties understanding the criticism. We have to invest in helping these people, in education and to give them a better future and more hope. We should all educate ourselves – many things are not perfect, but reform and change takes time.”

MUST READ: World Cup sponsor Budweiser mock last-minute beer ban enforced at Qatar stadiums

“I have been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership of the country. I can confirm that everyone is welcome. If you hear a person that says the opposite, it is not the opinion of the country or of FIFA.”

On Sunday, Qatar will get the tournament underway when they take on Ecuador after the opening ceremony. England’s first game comes against Iran a day later, with Wales also playing on Monday against the USA.