PSG’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi slams ‘really negative’ media coverage of 2022 World Cup

Nasser Al-Khelafi, the Qatari president of Paris Saint-Germain, has accused the media of being ‘unfair’ and ‘negative’ in their coverage of Qatar as it hosts the World Cup.

Qatar has come under fire for its human rights record in recent weeks, with protests taking place against the country’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and its treatment of migrant workers.

The government claims three migrant workers have died  from accidents while working on construction for the World Cup, but it is believed the number could be as high as 6,500.

Al-Khelafi felt the negative coverage of his country has been uncalled for, as he explained to TalkSPORT: ‘The world has been so unfair on Qatar. If people come and see what Qatar is, what Qatari people are like, what we do in our country, of course we are not perfect, but we’re doing our best.

‘We are good people. We treat people with our hearts. The media has been really negative, and it’s not fair it all.’ 

The latest controversy in Qatar has come from the One Love armbands that nine European captains had planned to wear during the tournament.

PSG’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has accused the media of being ‘unfair’ about Qatar

The World Cup hosts have been widely criticised for their treatment of migrant workers

They were intended to be a gesture promoting inclusivity in a country that outlaws same sex marriage, but players have now backed down after being threatened with yellow cards for breaching FIFA’s equipment rules.

A statement from the FA read: ‘We have asked the captains not to attempt to wear the armband in FIFA World Cup games.

‘We cannot put our players in a situation where they might be booked or even forced to leave the field of play.’

Players have opted not to wear One Love armbands after threats of yellow cards