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Qatar's World Cup officials put on brave face for post-Blatter era Qatar's World Cup officials put on brave face for post-Blatter era
(about 1 hour later)
It was business as usual for Qatar’s preparatory work on the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday, even as the shockwaves of Sepp Blatter’s resignation led to more speculation that the Fifa chief’s sudden departure could see the emirate stripped of the coveted global sports event.It was business as usual for Qatar’s preparatory work on the 2022 World Cup on Wednesday, even as the shockwaves of Sepp Blatter’s resignation led to more speculation that the Fifa chief’s sudden departure could see the emirate stripped of the coveted global sports event.
Related: Fall of the Sepp Blatter dynasty: how Qatar became a frontier too far | Marina Hyde
But there was something in the air – and not just the 46C mid-afternoon heat that is a scorching reminder of long-standing controversy about the location and its drawbacks. In downtown Doha, in the steel and glass HQ of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, frantic officials were fielding calls on how the Gulf state might respond to a new threat to its moment of glory seven years hence.But there was something in the air – and not just the 46C mid-afternoon heat that is a scorching reminder of long-standing controversy about the location and its drawbacks. In downtown Doha, in the steel and glass HQ of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, frantic officials were fielding calls on how the Gulf state might respond to a new threat to its moment of glory seven years hence.
If anyone in Al Bidda Towers was bothered by the warning from the UK Football Association chairman Greg Dyke that Qatar should not be “feeling comfortable” in the post-Blatter era, they were putting a brave face on it – but with a hint of anger. If anyone in Al Bidda Towers was bothered by the warning from the English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke that Qatar should not be “feeling comfortable” in the post-Blatter era, they were putting a brave face on it – but with a hint of anger.
The bland, terse statement that emerged at the end of the day conceded not the slightest hint of crisis. “The recent events at Fifa will not impact on our preparations for the 2022 Fifa World Cup,” the committee insisted. “With five stadiums currently under construction we are ahead of schedule to deliver on our promises.” The bland, terse statement that emerged at the end of the day conceded not the slightest hint of crisis. “The recent events at Fifa will not impact on our preparations for the 2022 Fifa World Cup,” the committee insisted. “With five stadiums currently under construction, we are ahead of schedule to deliver on our promises.”
Earlier, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, president of the Qatari FA, noted pointedly that the emirate had been “cleared of any wrongdoing” by Michael Garcia, the US investigator hired by Fifa – and welcomed a Swiss probe into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Earlier, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, president of the Qatari FA, noted pointedly that the emirate had been “cleared of any wrongdoing” by Michael Garcia, the US investigator hired by Fifa – and welcomed a Swiss investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
But Al Thani – a member of the ruling family – added a sharp jibe that reflected nationalist sentiment in one of the smallest and wealthiest countries on earth. “Mr Dyke’s instinct to focus immediately on stripping Qatar of the World Cup speaks volumes on his views concerning what will be the first Fifa World Cup to take place in the Middle East,” he said. “We would urge Mr Dyke to let the legal process take its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.” But Al Thani, a member of the ruling family, added a sharp jibe that reflected nationalist sentiment in one of the smallest and wealthiest countries on earth. “Mr Dyke’s instinct to focus immediately on stripping Qatar of the World Cup speaks volumes on his views concerning what will be the first Fifa World Cup to take place in the Middle East,” he said. “We would urge Mr Dyke to let the legal process take its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.”
Elsewhere the mood was a mixture of the defensive and the defiant. Four male friends in traditional white robes sipping fruit juice in the lobby of one of the capital’s many luxury hotels were looking forward to the competition. “We don’t know about Blatter but will put on a good show and we will have excellent stadiums,” said Issa. “Everything is being prepared – the infrastructure, communications. The government has devoted a lot of effort to it.” Elsewhere, the mood was a mixture of the defensive and the defiant. Four male friends in traditional white robes sipping fruit juice in the lobby of one of the capital’s many luxury hotels were looking forward to the competition. “We don’t know about Blatter but will put on a good show and we will have excellent stadiums,” said Issa. “Everything is being prepared – the infrastructure, communications. The government has devoted a lot of effort to it.”
Mohammed, his friend, chipped in: “They say there has been corruption in Fifa but Qatar won fairly. It is an honour for us to host the World Cup – as Arabs and Muslims. We have stability here. We have the infrastructure. So what’s all the fuss about it? We don’t have strikes here like in Britain. Does someone have a monopoly?”Mohammed, his friend, chipped in: “They say there has been corruption in Fifa but Qatar won fairly. It is an honour for us to host the World Cup – as Arabs and Muslims. We have stability here. We have the infrastructure. So what’s all the fuss about it? We don’t have strikes here like in Britain. Does someone have a monopoly?”
Officials made a distinction between the competition itself and Blatter’s fate. But foreign observers saw a clear and possibly ominous link. “It does complicate things for Qatar,” one diplomat mused. “Ever since they won the bid Blatter was a staunch supporter and him getting re-elected gave them a degree of confidence that the Fifa investigation wouldn’t be re-opened. Now he’s gone they will be worried that a new president won’t hold back on that. He gave them a feeling of protection.” Officials made a distinction between the competition itself and Blatter’s fate. But foreign observers saw a clear and possibly ominous link. “It does complicate things for Qatar,” one diplomat mused. “Ever since they won the bid, Blatter was a staunch supporter and him getting re-elected gave them a degree of confidence that the Fifa investigation wouldn’t be re-opened. Now he’s gone they will be worried that a new president won’t hold back on that. He gave them a feeling of protection.”
Related: Fall of the Sepp Blatter dynasty: how Qatar became a frontier too far | Marina Hyde The possibility of months of delay and uncertainty before a successor is chosen is another cause for concern. Doha looks likely to welcome the candidacy of Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad Al Sabah of Kuwait, a fellow member of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the regional grouping. It might also be happy with Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, a poor Arab country which might expect Qatari financial largesse for broader political and economic reasons.
The possibility of months of delay and uncertainty before a successor is chosen is another cause for concern. Doha looks likely to welcome the candidacy of Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad Al Sabah of Kuwait, a fellow member of the Gulf Cooperation Council – the regional grouping. It might also be happy with Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan – a poor Arab country which might expect Qatari financial largesse for broader political and economic reasons. The Qatari stock market gave its own blunt judgement, falling on the news of Blatter’s departure just as it rose when he was re-elected a few days ago.
The Qatari stock market gave its own blunt judgement – falling on the news of Blatter’s departure just as it rose when he was re-elected a few days ago. The World Cup remains a matter of huge national pride and sensitivity. Al-Watan, the main Arabic daily, splashed on Wednesday with an angry rebuttal of a Washington Post story about the death rate amongst migrant labourers, the subject of intense global scrutiny since a Guardian investigation in 2013.
The World Cup remains a matter of huge national pride and sensitivity. Al-Watan, the main Arabic daily, splashed on Wednesday with an angry rebuttal of a Washington Post story about the death rate amongst migrant labourers – the subject of intense global scrutiny since a Guardian investigation in 2013.
It was not the only one: a separate statement was issued flatly denying a Buzzfeed story suggesting that Qatari officials now faced arrest if they set foot in the US.It was not the only one: a separate statement was issued flatly denying a Buzzfeed story suggesting that Qatari officials now faced arrest if they set foot in the US.
Qataris are proud to have won the bid but question the motives of their critics, noting that for every time Russia is mentioned Qatar is mentioned many more times. “I believe it is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar,” the foreign minister, Khaled al-Attiyah, told Reuters, in Wednesday’s strongest official response to the Fifa drama.Qataris are proud to have won the bid but question the motives of their critics, noting that for every time Russia is mentioned Qatar is mentioned many more times. “I believe it is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar,” the foreign minister, Khaled al-Attiyah, told Reuters, in Wednesday’s strongest official response to the Fifa drama.
Doha’s stunning skyline also makes plain why the stakes are so high. Cranes and building sites are strewn across a city that is building at least eight new stadiums, new roads and flyovers as well as $35bn metro and rail system. In all Qatar plans to spend $200bn on infrastructure in the period up to 2030. Doha’s stunning skyline makes plain why the stakes are so high. Cranes and building sites are strewn across a city that is building at least eight new stadiums, new roads and flyovers as well as $35bn metro and rail system. In all, Qatar plans to spend $200bn on infrastructure in the period up to 2030.
In the lobby of Al Bidda Towers, an air-conditioned refuge from the furnace-like heat outside, is a reminder of why it matters so much. In a glass case that might house a precious ancient relic is a lavishly-bound book open at an interview with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the previous emir, who stepped down in favour of his son Tamim two years ago. “Hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup will obviously further enhance our country’s standing and reputation globally, raising the awareness of Qatar and providing a positive focus for the region as a whole.”In the lobby of Al Bidda Towers, an air-conditioned refuge from the furnace-like heat outside, is a reminder of why it matters so much. In a glass case that might house a precious ancient relic is a lavishly-bound book open at an interview with Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the previous emir, who stepped down in favour of his son Tamim two years ago. “Hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup will obviously further enhance our country’s standing and reputation globally, raising the awareness of Qatar and providing a positive focus for the region as a whole.”
The supreme committee made a strikingly similar point: “Qatar has faced criticism from the moment we won the right to bring this tournament to the Middle East for the first time,” it said. “We remain committed to using the World Cup as a platform to break down prejudice and misconceptions, while leaving a lasting legacy for our country and the rest of the region.”The supreme committee made a strikingly similar point: “Qatar has faced criticism from the moment we won the right to bring this tournament to the Middle East for the first time,” it said. “We remain committed to using the World Cup as a platform to break down prejudice and misconceptions, while leaving a lasting legacy for our country and the rest of the region.”
Ian Black, the Guardian’s Middle East editor, was visiting Doha to attend the US-Islamic World Forum as a guest of the Brookings Centre for Middle East policy and the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Ian Black, the Guardian’s Middle East editor, was visiting Doha to attend the US-Islamic World Forum as a guest of the Brookings Centre for Middle East policy and the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs.