UK Sport News, 02 Nov. 2022

The dispute between Qatar and Germany is easing after Berlin’s interior minister said critical comments had been “misinterpreted”.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser will attend her team’s opening match at the World Cup in Qatar, she confirmed during a visit to Doha, where she was received by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani.

Faeser, who is also Germany’s sports minister, visited the Qatari capital on Tuesday in the shadow of a recent diplomatic row between the two countries over alleged mistreatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ community.

In a recent TV interview, Faeser questioned whether Qatar should host the tournament, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the German ambassador.

But in Doha, Faeser said her recent remarks about Qatar hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022 had been misinterpreted. She appreciated Doha’s preparations to host the tournament and the sweeping and sustained labor reforms it has implemented, state-run Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.

“It is important to support the country of Qatar in pioneering reforms,” ​​said Faeser on Tuesday at the end of the two-day visit to the country. “That’s why I decided to continue to be part of the process and to travel to the German team’s first game.”

Faeser said Sheikh Khalid offered her a “guarantee of safety” for LGBTQ fans during the tournament.

According to QNA, Sheikh Khalid reiterated that Qatar “welcomes all visitors during the World Cup” as it sees the tournament as an opportunity for the world to learn about Qatar’s culture and values.”

He also stressed his confidence in visitors’ understanding and respect for the traditions and values ​​of Qatari society.

Sheikh Khalid also stressed the need to address “misinformation about the labor and human rights situation in Qatar” and highlighted the labor reforms that Doha has implemented – steps recommended by various human rights groups and United Nations bodies.

Reforms included changing labor laws and practices, eliminating exit visas, allowing workers to change employers without prior approval, setting a minimum wage for workers, and establishing a fund to support workers and their rights.

Germany will “support reforms in Qatar even after the World Cup in order to further improve the lives of migrant workers and the human rights situation,” said Faeser.

Germany meets Japan in the tournament’s opening game on November 23.