World Cup 2022: Violent counterwind for FIFA and Qatar

The Norwegian dressing President Lise Klaveness has urged the Congress of the Football World Association FIFA urgent to change in dealing with human rights and diversity.

"FIFA must act as a role model," said Klaveness (40) during the General Assembly in Doha. Every person must be treated "with the same respect". The World Cup 2022 in Qatar was awarded to the Emirate in 2010 under "unacceptable circumstances and unacceptable consequences". The World Cup host has been in criticism for years because of the human rights situation and the conditions for foreign workers.

"The FIFA has addressed these things, but it's a long way," said Klaveness, whose association had been discussed over a Boycott of the World Cup last year. "FIFA must take all measures to bring about changes." Klaveness called the rights of the LGBT + community - that is, among other things, for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals, as well as human rights, diversity and anti-discrimination as examples.

The World Cup organizational leader Hassan Al-Thawadi responded. "Madam President comes in our country and has not tried to contact us and did not try to start a dialogue," he said. He pointed out that international organizations such as trade unions had attested progress. "We were always open to a dialogue. It's about discussions. We have always maintained open doors, the doors are open to all before they make a judgment."