Qatar World Cup Worker Abuse Allegations Follow BBC Journalists Arrest

FIFA has said that the incident will be thoroughly investigated.

“Any instance relating to an apparent restriction of press freedom is of concern to FIFA and will be looked into with the seriousness it deserves,” they said in a statement.

Increased Calls for World Cup Venue Change

The controversy over worker conditions in Qatar extends far beyond the dwellings in which they live, or the accusations that they may be receiving insufficient food or water. There have been reports that many workers have had identification papers taken away from them by employers and have received little or none of their promised pay.

In addition, hundreds of migrant workers from Nepal, India, and other nations have died since the World Cup was awarded to Qatar. One estimate by the UK s Guardian said that as many as 4,000 workers could die by the time the World Cup is held.

Between these allegations, the questions over the bidding process, and FIFA’s decision to move the tournament to winter (clashing with most domestic soccer leagues worldwide), there have been numerous calls for governing body to take the event away from Qatar, moving it instead to the United States or another nation that could host the tournament instead.

William Hill, which has offered wagering on the tournament being taken away from Qatar, has now dropped the odds on that bet from 6/1 to 7/2 in light of the most recent incident.

“Despite the fact that construction is well underway, it is not a certainty that the World Cup will take place in Qatar come 2022 and any more PR disasters will only see the odds of it taking place elsewhere tumble even further,” said Joe Crilly, a spokesperson for sports betting outfit.