Qatar: 2022s Global Controversy - Research Paper Example

Allegations with regard to corruption adorned the headlines of major newspapers from across the western world, dominated the debate against the selection of Qatar as the future host of one of the world’s most spectacular sporting events. The UK government, in a dossier compiled by the Sunday Times and published by the UK Governments Culture, Media and Sport select committee accused the two prime bidders, Russia and Qatar for manipulating the outcome in their favor. Qatar was alleged, in the report, to have engaged in vote trading and vote-buying.

Qatar has been historically targeted by the western media, for indulging in corrupt practices and using favor-seeking tactics, ever since it was awarded the position to host for 2022 world cup event. A criminal complaint was submitted to the Swiss Attorney General, accusing the country for law breaking and seeking active investigation in the case. 2. Qatar was alleged to have paid £3 million in exchange for backing the countrys bid to host the 2022 world cup completely disregarding the heat in which the tournament will be played and the lack of infrastructure3.

In a report published by The Harvard Crimson, the selection of Qatar as the next host for the 2022 FIFA world cup was described as a politically motivated conspiracy. The report stated that the key motivations behind Qatars vehement bid to grab the spot as the host for the global event was to achieve political leverage, attain world recognition and its desire for soft power. Danyel Reiche, an associate professor of comparative politics at the American University of Beirut alleged that the key cause behind Qatars sudden interest in sporting events and the heavy influx of investments in sports were motivated by the countrys desire to improve their transnational relations and strengthen their national identity and