The world cup is ‘non-negotiable,’ insists Qatar

The demand from the UAE that Qatar should give up plans to host the 2022 football World Cup in order to have the blockade lifted has been universally mocked as less than serious political posturing.

“The World Cup in Qatar is non-negotiable,” insisted the Director of the Government Communications Office, Sheikh Saif Bin Ahmed Al-Thani in response to the UAE demand. Describing the demand as “pure jealousy”, he announced the completion of seven new football stadiums.

The demand to give up hosting the FIFA World Cup was not included on the list of conditions for the lifting of the blockade imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt; it has been in place since 5 June. On Sunday, though, the Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, Dhahi Khalfan, tweeted, “If the World Cup leaves Qatar, Qatar’s crisis will be over… because the crisis is created to get away from it.”

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Sheikh Saif derided the outrageous demand. “These weak attempts by the countries of the blockade to link the hosting of the World Cup with their illegal blockade shows their desperation to justify their inhumane work.” It confirms, he added, that there has never been a legitimate reason for the blockade of the State of Qatar, which will host the first football World Cup in the Middle East. “It will benefit the region greatly and have a positive impact on Qatar and the Middle East.”

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