DUBAI: Anwar Gargash, the UAE鈥檚 minister of state for foreign affairs, said Qatar鈥檚 hosting of the 2022 World Cup should depend on it rejecting 鈥渆xtremism and terrorism.鈥�
The Anti-Terror Quartet (ATQ) 鈥� comprising 萝莉视频, Bahrain, Egypt and the UAE 鈥� severed diplomatic, trade and travel ties with Qatar in June, accusing it of sponsoring extremist groups.
鈥淨atar鈥檚 hosting of World Cup 2022 should include a repudiation of policies supporting extremism and terrorism. Doha should review its record,鈥� Anwar Gargash, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, wrote on Twitter.
鈥淗osting World Cup 2022 should not be tainted by support of extremist individuals and (organizations)/terrorist figures, review of Qatar鈥檚 policies a must,鈥� he added.
The World Cup is the centerpiece of a carefully crafted strategy to project Qatar onto the global stage via sport. In the run-up, Qatar is scheduled to host events across different sports aimed at improving infrastructure and expertise.
Egypt is the top-ranked soccer team in Africa, and 萝莉视频 and the UAE are both in Asia鈥檚 top eight.
Last month officials from the ATQ did not turn up to the draw for a Middle East soccer tournament in Doha and said they wanted to postpone the competition that could be an early test for the World Cup hosts.
Qatari officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Gargash鈥檚 remarks.
Qatar has previously said that the rift has not affected its preparations to host the tournament and that alternative sources for construction materials had been secured.
Soccer鈥檚 governing body FIFA has said it has been in regular contact with Qatar since the row erupted.
Gargash made his comments after a former Dubai police chief wrote on Twitter this week that the Gulf crisis could end if Doha forfeited hosting the World Cup.
Gargash said the official, Dhahi Khalfan, had been misunderstood in media coverage.
Qatar must shun 鈥榚xtremism鈥� to host World Cup, says Gargash
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