We are now two weeks away from the start of the World Cup in an unprecedented winter in Qatar. It will be watched by billions around the world but the limited access records of wealthy countries may prevent many women and LGBTQ+ activists from attending. So far, the program has cost $200bn following the reported human cost of migrant workers who lost their lives building the Gulf state’s new stadium.
So, why award the World Cup to Qatar? The short answer might be some kind of dollar sign. This review comes courtesy of FIFA is not covered, a Netflix series featuring contributions from investigative journalists, lawyers, and former Fifa officials (including four disgraced president Sepp Blatter). In four episodes, the show presents a fascinating, detailed and disturbing account of the corruption that has plagued world football’s governing body for decades, ending in 2015. The FBI directed the criminal charges of Fifa 14 users.
The first part of this series reveals how a culture of criticism and criticism was developed within Fifa from the 1970s onwards, turning the “UN football club” into something resembling a cartel. The show shows how the team’s organizational mistakes allowed a few men to have an undue influence on the presidential election and the World Cup selection committee. Major decisions are often followed by negative actions; Even the post-apartheid celebration of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is now being marred by revelations that some Fifa officials accepted financial incentives.
The third episode is perhaps the most interesting as it examines whether the two accusations of bribery of Qatar by the members of Fifa pass through the break of football and geopolitics that seem to have supported its unexpected support. with 2010. But the show is careful not to let the sensational debate get into it. assessment. We are hearing first hand from whistleblower Phaedra Almajid about the charges she claims to have witnessed, but there is also a strong denial of any wrongdoing from Qatar 2022 Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi.
The paper, it should be emphasized, does not engage with the spirit of Qatar; instead, he points to this year’s World Cup as an example of a lack of competence and transparency in football governance. It also does not try to appeal to the conscience of the viewers or encourage them. What it does instead, in a big way, is question how horrible things outside of a beautiful game can be. Time will tell whether Qatar 2022 will be remembered more for the game or the negative background it created.
★ ★ ★ ★☆
On Netflix from November 9
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