Qatar 2022 World Cup: the controversies, rituals and cabals of world leaders in football mode

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was embroiled in a scandal when he confirmed his attendance at Portugal’s first match in the World Cup. “Qatar does not respect human rights. All the construction of the stadiums and so on… but, anyway, let’s forget about this.”minimized the leader in a press conference after his country’s victory against Nigeria in the last match of the team before traveling to the small and disputed kingdom of the Persian Gulf.

His comments generated a barrage of criticism. However, they were not enough to persuade the president to miss the appointment and finally, on Tuesday of this week, a divided Parliament decided to authorize the trip.

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But the Portuguese leader was not the only one to defend Qatar on the eve of the World Cup. Emmanuel Macronwho left the door open to a possible visit in case France reaches the semi-final or the final as they did in Russia, opined that “Sport should not be politicized.”

The celebration of the championship has been under scrutiny from the beginning due to the corruption scandals linked to the choice of the venue but also due to the living conditions of the golondrina workers, the impact of air-conditioned stadiums on the environment and the abuse of the human rights of women and sexual minorities in the Muslim country.

The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is seen during the match between Portugal and Ghana at the 974 Stadium in Doha on November 24, 2022. (PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA – AFP/)

To this combo is added the global energy crisis, the increase in prices, the war in Ukraine and the remnants of the pandemic. So many point to the attendance of global leaders in Qatar as a great display of rudeness.

But none of this seems to matter during the World Cup. The Minister of Labor, Kelly Olmos, said it very clearly: “First, let Argentina be champion, then we will continue working.”

Andrej Duda during the Poland match

Although there are exceptions —William Lasso declined the invitation of the emir of Qatar due to the wave of insecurity in Ecuador and the president of Poland, Andrej Duda, he preferred to watch the game in his country together with the Polish soldiers due to the tense situation in eastern Europe—, politicians forget their roles and become simple fans. The passion for soccer becomes bigger than any commitment or ideology. And with the means available to travel, many managers would rather face criticism than miss out on cheering on their teams from the pitch.

A) Yes, President Pedro Sánchez defended the presence of King Felipe VI during the first match of Spain. “There is no better delegation that can represent Spain in a sporting event or any other symbol and meaning than our head of state,” he declared at a press conference.

King Felipe VI of Spain and the director of the Royal Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales in the stands during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E football match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium . (Adam Davy-PA Wir/)

In many countries, soccer is not only a passion of the citizens, but a huge market that has strong ties to politics. Jair Bolsonaro, for example, he leaned on the Brazilian team during his presidential campaign. And Neymar promised that he would dedicate the first goal of the World Cup to him.

Although the explicit support of the Brazilian team was not enough to consecrate Bolsonaro’s victory, it managed to fuel internal polarization and provoke an inciting reaction from Lula da Silva: “I’m not angry. Neymar has the right to choose whoever he wants as president. I think he is afraid that if he wins the elections, he will find out that Bolsonaro forgave his income tax debt. I think that’s why he is afraid of me ”.

Neymar did not remain silent and gave a forceful answer: “They talk about democracy, but when someone has a different opinion, they are attacked by the same people who talk about democracy.”

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A post shared by Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairmessiasbolsonaro)

Having the biggest Brazilian star as an enemy is not a smart move. That is why the leaders must be careful when they talk about football, since a single incorrect sentence can unleash a strong internal dispute, as Prince William did when expressing his support for the England team over Wales.

That is why some leaders do not dare to comment. Lacalle Pou, when asked about his prognosis for Uruguay, replied: “If I say something it’s because I say… and if we lose it’s because I’m dry [”mufa”]”. And he added that he would watch the game “little, quiet, drinking mate”.

Senegalese President Macky Sall.

Others, without succumbing to any superstition, have displayed all their good omens. The President of Senegal, for example, made a strange declaration of love to the world cup during the trophy tour of the 32 qualified nations. He took her with both hands, looked at her fixedly and said: “Mrs. Copa, Senegal, with my voice, I declare my love. Of all its contenders, we are the only country Teranga (the spirit of hospitality). So we offer you the Teranga Senegalese with open arms. I promise you that the lion will fight with all his might, to win her over and bring her back here next December.”.

US President Joe Biden sent a special message to his team. “Coach, put me on, I’m ready to play,” joked the 80-year-old president. “I know they’re not the favourites, but I’ll tell you what, they have some of the best players in the world on their team. They are representing this country and I know they are going to play their hearts out. So we’re going to surprise everyone.”

Please hold, the President is on the line… ???? pic.twitter.com/N6CxwOhqgN

— US Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) November 20, 2022

For his part, the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, Very active in networks, he published a video in which he opens his red briefcase and displays a giant mural that is nothing more than the calendar with all the World Cup matches in Qatar. Then circle those of England and Wales (in a more conciliatory gesture than that of the Prince of Wales) and ends with the message: “Good luck”.

Do us proud ???? #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/fvErLf9Rzj

—Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) November 20, 2022

By Maria del Pilar Castillo

Source: Elcomercio