Qatar’s 2022 World Cup in turmoil as anger grows over links to terror

THE controversial 2022 football World Cup in Qatar appeared to be unravelling yesterday as other Gulf states claimed the country had ‘embraced’ terror organisations.

The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen joined Saudi Arabia in breaking off ties over a simmering row centred on Qatar’s alleged support for groups such as Islamic State and Al Qaeda.

And critics have suggested the football tournament may now have to be moved to another country if neither side backs down.

As part of the spat, airlines from the countries involved are to cancel flights to and from the Qatari capital Doha, including EgyptAir, Etihad Airways and Emirates. Qatar Airways last night said passengers booked on flights to the countries which have banned its planes will be offered refunds. Organisers of the 2022 World Cup had expected the majority of the 1.3million anticipated fans to travel from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

And experts warned the row would also have a knock-on effect across its lucrative routes to Europe and Australia.

Kristian Ulrichsen, a Gulf analyst with the Baker Institute at Rice University in Houston, said one of Qatar’s claims which helped it secure the World Cup had been that it was ‘one of the most stable countries in the Middle East’ – but now replacement venues might be required. ‘Qatar will know that there are alternatives, so they will be looking over their shoulder,’ he said.

Announcing the decision to cut diplomatic ties yesterday, Saudi Arabia accused Qatar of an ‘embrace of various terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at destabilizing the region’ including the Muslim Brotherhood, Al Qaeda and Islamic State.

However, the gas-rich nation said the claims had ‘no basis in fact’. FIFA’s decision in 2010 to award the World Cup to Qatar sparked widespread criticism and the tournament has already been moved to November to avoid the country’s summer heat.