FEATURE
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Laws By Sarah Palmer
T
he upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ promises to be a momentous event – the first to be held in the Middle East and the first to be hosted by an Arab country. However, some of FIFA's requirements for the host country means that Qatar has had to consider changes to some of its laws. Aspects include workers’ rights and immigration, sponsorship, consumer protection, tourism, intellectual property (IP) rights, and transportation, and whether existing laws were sufficient or needed to be amended. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) therefore developed a sporting event legal framework to support hosting the competition, and after referral to the Shura Council, two laws were enacted in July 2021 by The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Law No 10 of 2021 regarding the Measures for Hosting FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ This sets out Qatar’s preparations for hosting the competition. Qatar has a duty to honour the Government Guarantees and Host Contract outlined in its bid, which details the commitments between FIFA, as the owner of the competition, and Qatar, as the host nation. The law has 10 Chapters and 43 Articles: Chapter 1: Definitions and General Provisions The words and phrases relevant to the law. Chapter 2: Procedures for entry into, exit from, and work in the State Articles 4 to 7 address entry visas for foreign nationals. Entry visas shall expire at the end of the Competition Period, although FIFA or the Supreme Committee (SC) can extend them. Evidence of a work permit is not required for employees of FIFA and other specific entities, and employees will be exempted from the provisions of labour regulations currently in place in Qatar, as the provisions of the employment agreement will regulate the relationship between the parties, including working hours, salary/benefits and termination. Competition Period: the period starting 10 days before the opening match of the competition and ending 5 days after the final match.
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Chapter 3: Exemptions As per the Government Guarantees in Qatar’s bid, the law has a number of exemptions applicable to FIFA and other specified entities, for example from the payment of certain fees relating to their operations in Qatar, and from applicable taxes and customs. Government Guarantees: entry and exit permits, work permits, tax exemptions, safety and security, bank and foreign exchange operations, protection and exploitation of commercial rights, telecoms and IT, legal issues and indemnification, and accommodation.
Chapter 4: Safety and Security Articles 9 to 12 state that the Security Committee and its chairman will be given the necessary power to operate the security elements of the competition and issue instructions and guidelines, as well as oversee public awareness of these rules. Government medical facilities must provide medical assistance to participants in the competition, and fans must have access to emergency medical treatment during the Competition Period. Chapter 5: Banking and Foreign Exchange Operations As per Article 13, no restrictions shall be imposed on the purchase and sale of Qatari and foreign currencies, and financial institutions must ensure there are simple and efficient banking processes, during the Competition Period. This includes the entry to and exit of currencies to Qatar and no restriction on the amount of currency exchanged during the Competition Period relating to US Dollars, Euros and Swiss Francs. The regulator, Qatar Central Bank, has the power to implement these exemptions prior to the beginning of the Competition Period if needed. Chapter 6: FIFA Rights The chapter regulates FIFA’s commercial rights for the competition: FIFA name, logo, slogan and anthem; official titles and names relating to football or other FIFA trademarks; mascots, billboards, trophies and medals; and artistic and musical works.
MARHABA
3/31/22 9:52 AM
