The Foundation for Sports Integrity (FFSI) has hit out at Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al-Baker for comments he made about women last week, and asked FIFA to reprimand one of its main sponsors.
At an IATA Convention in Sydney Al-Baker claimed that women could not lead an airline as the work was too challenging.
Jaimie Fuller, FFSI chief executive, said if FIFA did not publicly criticize Al-Baker it would be doing a huge disservice to the many millions of women who love football and will be glued to the TV watching the upcoming World Cup.
“Mr Al-Baker says raising (his backward views on women) is simply part of a campaign against them that was linked to criticism — and jealously — over Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup,” Fuller said.
“Who made the decision to go to Russia and Qatar? FIFA. So, the very least FIFA could do is show some leadership on this matter.
“What I would like to see — for once — is FIFA push back on it sponsor in this instance and say the attitude is unacceptable. It’s 2018, not 1918!
“If we all have to roll-up to Qatar in four years’ time to watch our national team in action, then FIFA has a responsibility to drag its sponsors — in this case Qatar Airways — kicking and screaming into the 21st century.”
Qatar Airways has been a premium sponsor of FIFA for more than a year.
FIFA urged to criticize Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al-Baker for sexist comments
FIFA urged to criticize Qatar Airways boss Akbar Al-Baker for sexist comments
- Al-Baker said women could not lead an airline as the work was too challenging.
- Foundation for Sports Integrity urges FIFA to reprimand one of its premium sponsors.
Dubai Basketball stun Greek giants Olympiacos to win in overtime
- Score of 108-98 came in round 26 of EuroLeague and was the 12th victory of their debut season
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball recorded the 12th EuroLeague win of their debut season with a 108-98 overtime thriller against Olympiacos at Coca-Cola Arena.
From the first whistle, Dubai played with intent in front of the 6,500-strong crowd. Defensive pressure, fast breaks and fearless shot-making gave the home side early control, but like all big European basketball nights, the drama was far from over.
Olympiacos battled back, the intensity rose, and a last-second three-pointer sent the game into overtime, briefly silencing the crowd. But supported by one of the strongest home crowds Dubai has seen this season, the team rose to the occasion in the final five minutes.
Dubai Basketball’s head coach, Jurica Golemac, highlighted the importance of the home crowd’s support and said: “It was a very intensive game. A lot of physicality, a lot of energy. We were up and we didn’t lose the passion. We showed character in the end to win this game.
“Real Madrid is in two days. We’re playing at home, and hopefully even more fans will come. That support is very important for us — everyone feels like a family here.”
Dubai responded with composure and authority in the extra period, locking in defensively and moving the ball with confidence to close the game with a statement finish on a night that demanded character.
Mfiondu Kabengele dominated inside with a powerful double-double, while Dwayne Bacon and McKinley Wright delivered when it mattered most. Aleksa Avramovic set the tone early on both ends, and the collective effort once again highlighted Dubai’s growing identity — fearless at home, united under pressure.
With the regular season entering its defining stretch the Coca-Cola Arena continues to be a fortress, and belief around the team continues to grow as the race for the EuroLeague post-season heats up.
The next home game brings one of the most famous teams in the world to the Coca-Cola Arena, when Real Madrid will play Dubai at home for the first time on Thursday, Feb. 5.
