Qatar’s emir thanked Vladimir Putin on Thursday for what he mentioned was Russia’s support organizing the upcoming World Cup.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani additionally lauded Russia’s internet hosting of the soccer event in 2018.
“After Russia made an important success in organizing the 2018 World Cup, Russian mates have offered nice support to Qatar, particularly in phrases of group, with the organizing committee of the 2022 World Cup,” the emir mentioned. “We thanks for this and we’re pleased with this relationship. This will proceed till the top of the World Cup. I’m very pleased to see you, Mr. President. Thank you.”
The Russian president wished Qatar success in internet hosting this 12 months’s occasion, which begins on Nov. 20.
“We are additionally doing every part we are able to in phrases of transferring the expertise of making ready for the World Cup, you already know this, we simply had the chance to speak about it with you,” Putin mentioned. “I want to want you success in holding this main occasion. I’m certain that it will likely be [a success].”
Neither chief specified how precisely Russia had helped Qatar, the primary Arab nation to host the World Cup.
One space in which Qatar has adopted Russia’s instance is by requiring followers to join a compulsory ID, referred to as a Hayya Card. Similarly to the Fan ID scheme Russia launched in 2018, followers use the digital Hayya Cards to enter the nation and might solely enter a World Cup stadium in the event that they current a card.
Russia reached the World Cup quarter-finals as host in 2018 however shouldn’t be taking part in in Qatar after being barred from the qualifying playoffs following its invasion of Ukraine.
FIFA open to compensation fund for employees
FIFA desires to assist employees in Qatar get compensation for being injured whereas constructing initiatives for the World Cup, one of many soccer physique’s prime officers advised European lawmakers on Thursday.
Soccer federations in Europe have supported requires a fund since Amnesty International mentioned FIFA ought to contribute $440 million US towards reparations — matching the overall prize cash FIFA pays to the 32 nationwide groups taking part in in Qatar subsequent month.
Qatar has confronted intense scrutiny of the bodily and contractual situations for a whole lot of hundreds of migrant employees who had been wanted in the tiny emirate because the World Cup internet hosting rights had been gained 12 years in the past.
Compensation is “definitely one thing that we’re in progressing,” FIFA deputy secretary basic Alasdair Bell advised a Council of Europe session on labour rights in Qatar.
FIFA was urged on Thursday to make use of its leverage with the World Cup host nation by the official who publicly criticized Qatar when world soccer leaders met in Doha this 12 months.
Ensuring compensation is paid must be a key goal for FIFA to safe a constructive legacy in Qatar after the World Cup, Norwegian soccer federation president Lise Klaveness advised lawmakers.
“It is troublesome to border it in however it’s needed, additionally for historic abuses, accidents and deaths,” she mentioned, including {that a} lack of impartial investigations of unexplained employee fatalities in Qatar was an “elephant in the room.”
FIFA’s Bell agreed with Klaveness {that a} reparations fund “shouldn’t be the only factor to place into place” and would want clear guidelines and oversight.
“But that is definitely one thing that we’re in progressing,” he mentioned.
Need for lasting change
It was not specified on Thursday if compensation cash ought to come from FIFA, Qatari authorities or the development companies who employed the employees, many from south Asia and the Philippines.
Qatari authorities and World Cup organizers had been additionally praised in Strasbourg for passing labour legislation reforms together with a minimal wage.
“It is not only fluff, it is actual, and it’s delivering some tangible advantages which have truly improved the lives of a whole lot of hundreds of individuals,” Bell mentioned.
“The threat,” he acknowledged, “is that after the highlight is turned off after the World Cup it is actually necessary that these adjustments stay and are constructed upon and hopefully even unfold wider in the Middle East.”
Bell mentioned it was additionally necessary for migrant employees to have entry to a “secure haven” in Qatar to be taught their authorized rights — a mission backed by the worldwide soccer gamers’ union FIFPRO that Klaveness additionally highlighted.