Fifa boss Gianni Infantino promises 'discrimination-free' 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Thursday marks exactly three years until the 2022 World Cup gets underway in Qatar
AFP via Getty Images
Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_21 November 2019

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has promised that Qatar will deliver an "inclusive", "discrimination-free" World Cup in 2022.

Thursday marks three years to the day until the World Cup gets under way in Doha and the decision to take the tournament to Qatar has been controversial from the outset.

The build-up to date has been dogged by issues over allegations of bribery, the country’s human rights record, soaring temperatures, and the necessity of rescheduling the global football calendar to accommodate a winter World Cup.

Also chief among the concerns has been how such a conservative country will welcome LGBT supporters. However, Infantino - citing the last World Cup in Russia, where pre-tournament fears over potential racism proved unfounded – is confident the event will run smoothly.

"Every single fan will be welcome and this is not only the Fifa president saying that, but a full commitment made by our partners in Qatar,” he told PA.

"In accordance with our statutes and policies, it is our responsibility to ensure a discrimination-free World Cup and in the past years we have been working, together with Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, on a list of measures that will ensure an inclusive experience for everyone.

"There were also questions ahead of the World Cup in Russia and we did not hear of a single case of discrimination - a positive outcome that resulted from the work done ahead of the event and the ability that the World Cup has to bring people together."

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