Gianni Infantino did something unusual for a FIFA president. He poked a finger into the eyes (collective) of his fellow Europeans and caused uproar. He called them out on their hypocrisy and moral posturing in their unending criticism of others, especially non-Europeans, for all manner of wrong-doing. He was reacting in particular to constant accusations that Qatar was not a suitable host of the football World Cup because of its alleged abuse of migrant workers’ rights and a host of other misdeeds. It took courage to call his fellow Europeans out on this matter. He is certainly braver than his predecessor, Sepp Blatter, who now finds it convenient to say awarding Qatar the right to host the world cup finals was a mistake. Knowing what we do about his time at the helm of football’s world governing body, his regret after the fact cannot be worth much. Infatino said they had no right to lecture the rest of the world about abuse, he told them, when they have a three thousand year history of sins against those they now condemn. His advice: they should spend the next three millennia in penance, seeking the forgiveness of those they wronged and now blame for all manner of wrongs. He did not say anything about reparations, but obviously they would have to be part of a full apology. He is, of course, not the first person to call out the west on its hypocrisy. Rwanda, has been doing so for a long time. Rwandans have pointed out this hypocrisy and indifference at the time of the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. They have complained about the failure or refusal to deal decisively with its perpetrators and the continued genocidal violence in the region. They have also shown the inherent inequalities and bias in international justice especially as regards the principle of universal jurisdiction. He is not even the first westerner to do so. Others like Jeffrey Sachs have been doing so for many years, showing the deliberately skewed international social and economic system even when the west likes to blame the rest for lagging behind. Will Ifantino’s right call silence the critics of Qatar as World Cup hosts or even make them generally more remorseful of those wrongs spanning millennia? Unlikely. And as if to prove the point, the BBC chose to ignore the opening ceremony of the tournament and instead had a programme questioning the hosting of the tournament. In any case, none of the others have made any impression on their thick skinned self-righteousness that is impervious to reason or entreaty. Luckily, he does not have to in the present instance. The football that is already underway is doing that for him. Still, he is a brave man for speaking out. His organisation depends on sponsorship from big western corporations and on its huge media with a global reach for publicity. Telling them off is like biting the hand that feeds him. That requires courage. But you can be sure FIFA will not suffer because of this. They also gain from it. The World Cup also gives them unequalled global visibility and access, and, of course, the imperviousness makes them immune to censure. In any case, all those shouting themselves hoarse actually do business with Qatar. Their capitals are likely home to huge Qatari financial investments. They have not turned their noses to the money. We wouldn’t be surprised if some of the human rights groups or media outlets raising hell are not beneficiary to Qatari largesse in some form. But I suppose you cannot have games of such magnitude without controversy. I can bet, though, you will not have much of it in 2026 when the United States, Canada and Mexico are joint hosts. Maybe a few murmurs about Mexico and drugs and related violence. Anyway, there has been enough storm in the media. It is now time to turn to the field and football. The excitement will drown out all the discordant voices and bring a sense of calm even as partisan passions rise. That started on Sunday. Everyone has their favourite team. But I am sure we will be rooting for teams from Africa even if North and West African teams still dominate African showing at the world cup finals. We will be a little envious but still proud that some of our own are competing at the highest level. That is not to say that teams from other regions of Africa have not been to the World Cup finals before. In 1974 in the then West Germany, our noisy and recently bellicose neighbours, then known as Zaire, made their bow, but made a very poor showing. The Leopards, as the national team is known, left without scoring a single goal and conceding 14 in three matches. In one match alone they were walloped 9-0 by the former Yugoslavia. It sounds such a long time ago and since then, African teams have fared considerably better. In Italy 1990, Cameroun put on an impressive display and won many fans across the world. They reached the quarter finals and narrowly lost to England 2-3. The indomitable lions became a household name. That Cameroun team was made more memorable by Roger Milla’s unique goal celebration at the corner flag. Senegal repeated the feat in 2002 when Japan and Korea co-hosted. Ghana did the same in 2010 in South Africa. Earlier in 1982 in Spain, Algeria caused a big stir when they defeated the mighty West German team but were swindled out of a place in the next round by an unsporting arrangement between the German and Austrian teams. The match-fixing scandal, however, led to a change in the rules. From then on the final group games were to be played at the same time. Perhaps those shouting abuse have forgotten this brazen match-fixing? This year we would love to see the African teams go beyond ‘nearly’ made the next stage and get closer to the trophy. What a mighty roar that would raise this fair continent and a stunned sullen silence among the preachers of various creeds they do not practice themselves. It will happen someday, sooner than later. In the meantime let us enjoy the finals in Qatar.
