FIFA says it remains in “regular contact with Qatar” after six Arab countries, including the UAE, cut diplomatic ties with the World Cup 2022 hosts, accusing it of destabilising the region.
The Emirates were joined by fellow Arab nations Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Libya in severing links over its alleged support of Islamist terrorist groups and relations with Iran. The Maldives also followed suit.
Qatar called the decision “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact”.
Football’s world governing body, in an emailed statement, said it had spoke with “the Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy handling matters relating to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
FIFA added: “We have no further comments for the time being.”
The UAE have given Qatari diplomats 48 hours to leave the country, while airlines Etihad, Emirates and Fly Dubai said they are to cancel flights to and from the Qatari capital Doha.
The fallout in Gulf sporting circles has been both staggered and startling. Saudi football giants Al Ahli Jeddah announced on their Twitter feed that they had terminated a sponsorship contract between the club and Qatar Airways.
Reputable Middle East football website Ahdaaf, meanwhile, tweeted that Saudi national team players and staff “have been banned from speaking to and appearing on Qatar-owned sports broadcasters beIN Sports and Al Kass”, while beIN programming was suspended across the UAE yesterday.
Although there is much to be deliberated to resolve the situation, these actions could have an impact on Qatar’s future involvement with cross-border sporting competitions in the Gulf – including the AFC Champions League and the participation of the Qatar Stars League clubs.
It could also severely impact Doha, who regularly compete with UAE-based rugby clubs in the West Asia Premiership and Dubai Sevens.
Jebel Ali Dragons chairman Stuart Quinn said: “Of course the first priority is safety for everyone in Qatar and I hope very much that this situation sorts itself out by the time the season starts.
“’I’m sure it’s a very difficult time for all expats in Qatar, including the big rugby community there. It would certainly devalue the competition if they were not involved (next season). I think everyone in the West Asia Premiership hopes it is sorted swiftly and we can all get on with the rugby.”
Abu Dhabi Saracens chairman Jay Danielson added: “Obviously it would be disappointing for the Doha guys to have the opportunity to play against the best teams in the region taken away.
“It’s hard to say what impact it would have on the competition as the UAE teams are just getting stronger and stronger every year. Let’s hope the political situation can be peacefully resolved and everyone can get back to the business of enjoying their rugby.”
Louie Tonkin, whose Bahrain team enjoy a fierce yet friendly rival with neighbouring Doha, added: “It looks very serious and more is being affected than rugby but from our point of view we hope it comes to a solution so they can compete.
“They’re a huge part of the West Asia Premiership and been one of the biggest clubs in the Gulf. They’re our biggest rivals and we love playing against them. The league would be worse off for it but in the scope of things it’s minimal at the moment.”
While sudden, the severing of ties has not come completely out of the blue. Two weeks ago, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain blocked Qatari news sites, including Al Jazeera.
As recently as 2014, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar for several months in protest over alleged interference in their affairs.
