MY ACCOUNT
Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeness has hit out at criticism of the World Cup being staged in Qatar.
Conditions for migrant workers are among the human rights issues that have been in the spotlight long before the tournament starts in November.
Hoeness is insistent that workers are “better and not worse off” with the country hosting the World Cup, however, and argues things are getting better in the nation compared to other Gulf states.
“The World Cup will lead to better working conditions for the people,” he told Sport1.
“One thing is also clear, the workers in Qatar are better and not worse off through the World Cup. You should finally accept that and not constantly hit out at people on it.
“When the problem was in Afghanistan, the people were only flown out via Qatar. The World Cup, the commitment of Bayern and other sports activities in the Gulf region will lead to better working conditions for the people there.
“I have never heard criticism of Dubai, Kuwait etc. Only Qatar is being talked about. The only country where things are really getting better because this discussion is taking place is Qatar.”
Bayern’s own links with Qatar have been a source of frustration for many fans, leading to a hostile atmosphere in the team’s AGM in November.
The Bundesliga champions signed a five-year sponsorship with Qatar Airways in 2018 and have often travelled to the nation for training during their winter break.
