The 2022 World Cup in Qatar continues to draw criticisms on all fronts this winter after thousands of traveling fans arrived at unfinished accommodations at temporarily erected fan villages.
ESPN’s Mark Ogden reported on the situation from Qatar, where “operator negligence” was cited regarding why many fans, who were set to pay £165-a-night to stay in repurposed shipping containers with communal washing areas, arrived at unfinished living spaces and facilities.
‘Negligence’ behind fans’ World Cup woes https://t.co/HUzvsru8ya
— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) November 24, 2022
As reported by Ogden, fans arriving at the village at Rawdat al Jahhaniya discovered “that large areas of the site were still under construction, with wash basins and toilets waiting to be installed, with the Qatari government now issuing full refunds to those affected by the error.
“We are aware that a number of fans have faced delays checking into select fan village accommodation due to owner and operator negligence” according to a Supreme Committee spokesperson. “A section of units in these facilities, which are delivered and managed by different private entities, have not met the required standards that were advertised to fans. While these sites are managed by independent commercial entities, rectifying these issues remains the utmost priority for the Supreme Committee.”
“Full refunds are being offered to fans severely impacted by this issue as well as alternative accommodation which will be free of charge for the duration of their stay.”
With the total price of putting on the global spectacle listed at a staggering £229billlion according to The Sporting News, it will no doubt come as a shock to thousands of fans that basic living arrangements have fallen through the cracks given the vast sums of money that have been brought to bear for the nation to host football’s grandest event.
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