Muscat – The Boycott Qatar 2022 chorus has been rising all over the European continent and adding fuel to the dissent has been the recent comments from former Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

Blatter surprised everyone with his remark ‘Qatar is a Mistake’ to a Swiss newspaper, which has raised many eyebrows. He also stated that the ‘choice of Qatar’ as hosts was really bad.

He was further quoted as saying, “It is too small of a country. Football and the World Cup are too big for it.”

To be recalled, it was way back in 2010 that Fifa awarded Qatar the right to host the top soccer show and, mind you, the same Blatter was at the helm of the parent body then.

Where was Blatter all these days, when there were controversies clouding the decision of declaring Qatar as host and later when allegations of corruption and human rights issues erupted?

The former Fifa chief should have opened out his views, at least, at the time of decision making and explained what led to the naming of the hosts.

After maintaining silence all these days, the sudden outburst against the hosts appears unwarranted, especially with just few days left for the opening match of the quadrennial tournament.

Blatter, who had been a long serving president of the global football body, was himself embroiled in corruption accusation and had to relinquish his control over Fifa. Surprising is that this man had not opened his mouth when he was grilled on legal platforms, but why now?

Now he is trying to push the present Fifa boss Gianni Infantino to a tight corner. Apart from the earlier remarks he is now calling for a total ban of the Iran football team from World Cup, citing unrest in the nation due to women protesting against strict dress code.

Now what is Blatter trying to do? Is he trying to cause trouble for the game of football for which he has been guardian for many years?

These voices of dissent certainly can’t stop the nearly month-long event in Qatar kicking off on November 20.

Tickets have been sold out like hot cakes and football players, who have struggled and aspired for the past four years to be part of the world stage, will definitely not support anything that shatter their dreams.

With all participating nations having announced their 26-member squads, none will support the dissent now.

The Qatar World Cup must happen now for the sake of football and for the sake of the tiny Gulf nation.

Forget what has happened and look forward for the excitement on soccer field.

The game must go on…