A few hours before the start of one of the most anticipated sporting events in recent years, the list of controversies, controversies and complaints seems to balance the balance towards negative terrain. However, expectations and sports fanaticism are filling the airlines, while more than 1.2 million tourists are expected at the Doha airport, which is equivalent to 42.8% of the total population of that country.
This 2022 World Cup will definitely go down in history, not only because it is surely the last for Messi and CR7, but because it was carried out after many obstacles, disagreements and “thumbs down” from various nations; Today, the macro-event is loaded with restrictions and has to its credit complaints of violations of individual liberties, not to mention that it is taking place in a country with very little soccer tradition.
BARRIERS
Just a few hours before the ball rolls and the matches begin in Qatar, the list of singers who declined to participate in the global event has been increasing. Meanwhile, the reports of migrant workers who have died in the construction of the stadiums has been one of the main reasons for the artists.
The singer Shakira, for example, who was present at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, declined to participate in the opening. The announcement, which has not been made officially if not by sources close to the artist, joins that of several artists who have criticized violations of Human Rights in the Middle Eastern country.
PROHIBITIONS
In Qatar, homosexuality is considered sodomy and is penalized with between 1 and 3 years in prison. Although the country has assured that it will allow the entry of people from these communities, it asked them not to show public displays of affection, which are generally prohibited. Not only no holding hands or kissing, hugging in public is also not allowed regardless of sexual orientation.
People who break this law could face up to six years in prison and a monetary penalty. Tourists will also have to obey a dress code, which is harsher on women. They will be prohibited from wearing skirts and shorts below the knee and may not wear cleavage.
Neither women nor men will be able to show their shoulders. Torn pants are also not allowed; Failure to comply with this dress code could lead to economic sanctions or even imprisonment. As if that were not enough, the Arab country has also been emphatic in remembering that sexual relations outside of marriage are prohibited. Those who fail to comply with this law may pay up to seven years in jail.
In Qatar, the consumption of alcoholic beverages is also not allowed. Although in principle the possibility of selling beer inside the stadiums had been agreed, just two days after the ball began to roll, this decision was changed and it was prohibited. People can also be arrested and fined for being under the influence of alcohol in public, among many other restrictions on the list.
INVESTMENT
Regardless of what happens tomorrow on the field against Ecuador, or in the next few days against Senegal and the Netherlands, Qatar can already be considered the winner, since it managed to get away with it and celebrate a Soccer World Cup. The venue for the 2022 World Cup was awarded to Qatar in December 2010, while it beat countries like the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan. The allegations of bribery for the election did not wait and a few years later the majority of Fifa executives who voted for this country ended up in prison in the scandal known as Fifagate.
This is a truly expensive meeting, which officially cost the Arab country US$ 1,696 million, not counting lobby, publicity and guest expenses; withstanding the onslaught of the West, with angry protests from the German and Danish national teams, as well as a host of non-governmental organizations. But come zero hour, they will be able to say for years to come that they organized the most important soccer event in the world.
