Nepalese migrants building the infrastructure to host the 2022 World Cup "have died at a rate of one every two days in 2014 -- despite Qatar's promises to improve their working conditions," according to Gibson & Pattisson of the London GUARDIAN. The figure "excludes deaths of Indian, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi workers, raising fears that if fatalities among all migrants were taken into account the toll would almost certainly be more than one a day." The Nepalese foreign employment promotion board said that 157 of its workers in Qatar "had died between January and mid-November this year -- 67 of sudden cardiac arrest and eight of heart attacks." Thirty-four deaths were "recorded as workplace accidents." Human Rights Watch Middle East researcher Nicholas McGeehan said, "We know that people who work long hours in high temperatures are highly vulnerable to fatal heat strokes, so obviously these figures continue to cause alarm." Some within Qatar suggest the cardiac arrest death rates "could be comparable to those among Nepalese workers of a similar age at home." The Indian embassy "argued this year that the number of deaths was in line with the average in their home country." But in the absence of "robust research or any attempt to catalogue the cause of death, human rights organisations say it is impossible to properly compare figures" (GUARDIAN, 12/23).
QATAR HIRES MUSICIANS: ARABIAN BUSINESS reported Qatar has spent nearly $5M hiring "around 60 British professional musicians to help train Qatari military bandsmen in time to perform" at the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup. Qatari authorities were still seeking more U.K. professionals, "including violinists, percussion players and drummers, as well as orchestral conductors, to move to Doha to help in the training mission." Contracts are "reportedly for three years, with salary packages offering free accommodation" and wages of up to £66,000 ($102,700) per year (ARABIAN BUSINESS, 12/23).
RESTORING CONFIDENCE: BLOOMBERG's Sara Marley reported FIFA President Sepp Blatter said FIFA is "working to restore public confidence after a series of controversies surrounding the selection of World Cup hosts and a subsequent investigation." Blatter said in a statement, "Public opinion is important because football is the greatest game in the world. It's very important for me personally at the helm of football to restore credibility" (BLOOMBERG, 12/22).
2030 WORLD CUP: In London, Anthony Hay reported FIFA presidential candidate Jerome Champagne has said that he "wants England to host the 2030 World Cup in order to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the tournament." Champagne, who "looks set to be named on the final shortlist of candidates" to replace Blatter, is "expected to get the English FA's vote due to their reluctance to back the Swiss dictator" (DAILY MAIL, 12/28).
