FIFA president Gianni Infantino has caused outrage with his comments on Qatar criticism, saying that European countries should instead “be apologising for the next 3,000 years”.

Infantino’s remarks are offensive and short-sighted for a number of reasons. Firstly, they completely ignore the very real and serious concerns about the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. There have been allegations of corruption surrounding the bidding process, as well as reports of workers’ rights abuses. These are legitimate issues that deserve to be addressed, not swept under the rug.

Secondly, Infantino’s comments imply that anyone who criticises Qatar is doing so out of jealousy or resentment. This is simply not the case. There are many people who genuinely believe that Qatar is not an appropriate host for the World Cup, and their opinions should be respected, not dismissed out of hand.

Finally, by suggesting that Europe should apologise for its past mistakes, Infantino is effectively telling Qatar to do the same. This is unfair and unreasonable. Every country deserves a chance to host the World Cup, but this must be done in a way that is transparent and accountable. Unfortunately, it appears that FIFA still has a long way to go in this regard.

For centuries, European countries have been exploiting and colonising the Middle East. They have pillaged its resources, enslaved its people, and inflicted unimaginable suffering upon the region. And yet, now they have the audacity to criticise Qatar for its alleged human rights abuses?

It is nothing short of hypocrisy. These same European countries should be apologising for their own atrocities in the Middle East, not criticising Qatar. They have no moral high ground to stand on.

And let’s not forget that it was European countries who supported and enabled Qatar’s rise to power in the first place. They are just as responsible for Qatar’s actions as Qatar itself is. So instead of criticising Qatar, they should be holding themselves accountable for their own role in this situation.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to be held in Qatar, a country that has been heavily criticized for its human rights abuses. There are concerns that by hosting the event in Qatar, FIFA is condoning these abuses. However, it is possible to host the World Cup in Qatar without condoning its human rights record.

One way to do this would be for FIFA to use its platform to raise awareness of the human rights abuses taking place in Qatar. This could involve working with human rights organizations to produce educational materials that would be distributed to fans attending the World Cup. Another way to address this issue would be for FIFA to put pressure on the Qatari government to reform its laws and improve its treatment of workers ahead of the World Cup.

Ultimately, it is up to FIFA whether or not it wants to take a stand on human rights in Qatar. However, there are ways to host the World Cup in Qatar without turning a blind eye to the country’s abuses.