Blatter: Respect tradition at 2022

FIFA president says his organisation does not tolerate any form of discrimination.

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Blatter called for the respect of Qatar’s traditions and values at the 2022 World Cup [AFP]

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, has called on those attending the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to respect the way of life of hosting nation.

Asked at a news conference in South Africa whether gays and lesbians should worry about attending the tournament Blatter said they should be respectful of local traditions and values.

`Blatter swiftly went on to say that FIFA never tolerates any form of discrimination and that he was sure everyone would be able to attend and enjoy the World Cup in Qatar.

“It’s another culture because it’s another religion, but in football we have no boundaries, we open everything to everybody and I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings, being on this side or that side or left or right or whatever […].

“So you may be assured that whatever people that will produce until 2022 and if they want to watch a match somewhere in Qatar in 2022 I am sure they will be admitted to such matches,” Blatter said.

He was in South Africa to help launch a World Cup Legacy Trust and announce that FIFA is putting $80m into it for the 2010 tournament hosts to spend on soccer development, education, health and humanitarian projects.

Another $20m had been given to South Africa in the build-up to the June-July tournament, FIFA said in a statement.

Blatter said the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively was based on spreading the sport around the world and not on financial reasons.

The 2018 Cup in Russia will be the first staged in eastern Europe after 10 World Cups in the western half of the continent, while Qatar will be the first Middle Eastern or Arab country to host a World Cup and also the smallest nation.

Source: News Agencies