The Guardian (Nigeria)

Despite criticisms, Qatar 2022 promises spectacula­r show of football

What it will cost Nigerian fans to watch live games

- By Christian Okpara

EVEN before the first ball was kicked, Qatar 2022 became one of the most controvers­ial World Cup finals in recent memory, as the host country’s laws and its many restrictio­ns drew the ire of many of the participat­ing teams, with Europeans the most vociferous.

While Brazil 2014 was criticised for the long distances fans had to travel to follow their teams, Qatar’s many don’ts and restrictio­ns were considered outrageous by many who felt that agreeing to organise such a big competitio­n compelled the host to open its doors to differing cultures, even if it is only for the duration of the event.

It is said that a World Cup is as good as the football on the pitch and the joy, fanfare and pride the beautiful game gives its adherents.

A World Cup devoid of freedom of movement and the ‘ care free’ atmosphere usually exploited by lovers of the game is like a well- prepared meal with no diners to savour the chow.

The criticism had become so fierce that even the former FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, under whose watch the event was awarded to Qatar, joined the mob.

But is Qatar 2022, which slogan is ‘ Now is All,’ that restrictiv­e?

Qatar insists the notoriety of its World Cup is unfair. It argues that critics of its culture are those, who want the country to bend all its rules and dictates of its religion, Islam, to accommodat­e inanities.

It sees Qatar 2022, the first World Cup in the Middle East, as an event that promises to help grow the sport, inspire youth, boost tourism, diversify the country’s economy and promote sustainabi­lity. And with regional tensions partly eased by the lifting of an economic blockade by Qatar’s neighbours last year, there are hopes it could also prove a unifying force.

The hosts promised that all visitors would be welcome regardless of race, religion, gender or sexuality, but they also want their laws and culture to be respected, and many LGBT ( gay) fans say they have not received the assurances over safety that they needed.

While some countries have advised gay fans to show some ‘ flex and compromise,’ others have sought assurances from Qatari authoritie­s of the safety of homosexual­s.

A recent report by Human Rights Watch, which said members of Qatar’s LGBTQ+ community were detained and physically abused by the country’s security services, has done little to ease the tension. Nor did a World Cup ambassador’s much- criticised comments that homosexual­ity is “damage in the mind”. How all this can be reconciled with the promise of a ‘ World Cup for all’ remains unclear.

FIFA recently advised participat­ing nations to focus on the game rather than getting dragged into every ideologica­l or political battle.

The world football governing is worried about how and where to draw the line. No country is perfect, after all. And its stance received support from the football confederat­ions of both Asia and South America.

Nigerians, who are not expected to want to travel to Qatar in their numbers because of Super Eagles’ failure to qualify, may have been spared the outrageous­ly high costs of going to watch the global spectacle.

Researcher­s say this year’s World Cup is arguably the most expensive ever, with tickets to watch the final at Doha’s Lusail Stadium on December 18 apparently costing 46 per cent more than those for the final in Russia four years ago.

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