Abdullah Ibhais, a former media manager for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, which organized the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, has spoken out about his continued punishment for revealing the mistreatment of migrant workers. He was jailed for three and a half years after refusing to cover up a strike by workers who had not been paid for months.
A Strike for Justice
Seven years ago, in Al-Shahaniyah, a town on the outskirts of Doha, Ibhais witnessed a strike by migrant workers who had not received their salaries for two to six months. These workers, earning less than $300 a month, were building World Cup stadiums. Ibhais, as media manager, was ordered by his superiors to spin the narrative, denying that the strikers were working on World Cup projects. He refused, choosing to prioritize workers' rights over the tournament's image.
Arrest and Imprisonment
For speaking out, Ibhais was charged with leaking defense secrets and conspiring to destroy the World Cup. He was convicted of corruption and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. The UN working group deemed his detention arbitrary and his trial unfair. FIFA chose not to intervene, instead declaring the 2022 World Cup "the best ever."
Continued Harassment
Four years later, as the new World Cup begins in Mexico, the US, and Canada, Ibhais thought he would be free to speak. Instead, two weeks ago, he was stopped at Amman airport in Jordan, his passport confiscated, and he was told to cease any public mention of Qatar 2022 or face imprisonment again. He had been scheduled to speak at the Oslo Freedom Forum and provide testimony for a US federal court case on human trafficking related to the World Cup.
A Personal Plea
Ibhais states, "All I have is my truth that the 2022 FIFA World Cup was built on the blood, sweat, and tears of migrant workers." He calls on FIFA and the world to understand the true cost of the tournament and ensure such exploitation is not repeated. He urges fans to balance their love for the game with their principles.
