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Tribune News Network
Doha
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the hosts of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup and one of the countries having imposed an unjust blockade on Qatar, continues to mix politics with sports.
The UAE, which will meet Qatar in the semi-final of the Asian Cup on Tuesday, is giving away free tickets to ‘loyal’ fans and turning away women and expats.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council had bought the remaining tickets for the match in the city’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and would distribute them ahead of the game, according to a report in The National.
“Today in hilarious pettiness, the UAE has bought up all remaining tickets for the Asian Cup semi-final with Qatar and is distributing them free to ‘loyal’ fans. Non-Emiratis were reportedly being turned away,” Gregg Carlstrom, an author and the Middle East correspondent of The Economist, said in a tweet.
“Non-Emiratis were reportedly being turned away. Fans seeking tickets have been advised to bring their national ID. Only a tiny number of Qatar fans have been in attendance at their side’s games so far,” Kristian Ulrichsen, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy & Associate Fellow, said in a tweet.
Kristian also called for a probe into the politicisation of the flagship football tournament.
“If the Asian Football Confederation had any credibility (or wasn’t led by a member of the ruling family of one of the countries blockading Qatar), it would launch an investigation into the politicisation of its flagship football tournament,” Kristian said in another tweet.
See also pages 16 & 17 ?
Doha
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), the hosts of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup and one of the countries having imposed an unjust blockade on Qatar, continues to mix politics with sports.
The UAE, which will meet Qatar in the semi-final of the Asian Cup on Tuesday, is giving away free tickets to ‘loyal’ fans and turning away women and expats.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council had bought the remaining tickets for the match in the city’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and would distribute them ahead of the game, according to a report in The National.
“Today in hilarious pettiness, the UAE has bought up all remaining tickets for the Asian Cup semi-final with Qatar and is distributing them free to ‘loyal’ fans. Non-Emiratis were reportedly being turned away,” Gregg Carlstrom, an author and the Middle East correspondent of The Economist, said in a tweet.
“Non-Emiratis were reportedly being turned away. Fans seeking tickets have been advised to bring their national ID. Only a tiny number of Qatar fans have been in attendance at their side’s games so far,” Kristian Ulrichsen, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy & Associate Fellow, said in a tweet.
Kristian also called for a probe into the politicisation of the flagship football tournament.
“If the Asian Football Confederation had any credibility (or wasn’t led by a member of the ruling family of one of the countries blockading Qatar), it would launch an investigation into the politicisation of its flagship football tournament,” Kristian said in another tweet.
See also pages 16 & 17 ?
