Criticism of Qatar ‘excessive’ says French football chief: Report

French Soccer Federation President Noël Le Graët defends the choice to host the World Cup in Qatar.

President of the French Soccer Federation, Noel Le Graet, earlier than the 2022 Ballon d'Or awards [File: Benoit Tessier/Reuters]

French Soccer Federation President Noël Le Graët has defended Qatar because the host of the 2022 World Cup, saying there was “an extreme marketing campaign” towards the nation.

In an interview to the French channel RTL, Le Graët stated: ” I imagine this nation [Qatar] is what it's. I have a look at the soccer facet. It's as much as the politicians to do their job.”

His feedback mirror an analogous sentiment to the one FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed, requesting collaborating international locations to “deal with the soccer”.

Qatar received its bid to host the worldwide soccer match in 2010 however has since confronted a barrage of criticism on the rights of staff, the LGBTQ neighborhood and others. Nonetheless, many specialists have additionally accused the West of hypocrisy within the method wherein Qatar has been focused. The nation has additionally confronted racist stereotyping — together with in a French cartoon lately.

In his interview, Le Graët identified that Qatar and France have a robust financial partnership. “The 2 governments get alongside not so badly,” he stated. He later used the Qatari businessman Nasser bin Ghanim al-Khelaifi’s possession of French soccer membership Paris Saint-Germain for example.

Le Graët additionally hailed the World Cup as a hit to date, “the proof is that the [TV] file was overwhelmed on Tuesday night; the bistros and cafes have been full all over the place”. The French soccer boss had earlier stated he would reasonably France captain Hugo Lloris not put on the “One Love” armband on the World Cup.

The captains of seven European groups had deliberate to put on the rainbow-coloured armbands as a part of an anti-discrimination marketing campaign however backed down after FIFA threatened disciplinary motion.

“It’s not that I’m not in favour of this armband, however generally I feel we need to lecture others a lot that we must also have a look at what’s taking place in our nation,” Le Graët had stated.