A Closer Look: What is the fan experience like at the Qatar World Cup?


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A Closer Look is The National's show where we take a more in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

The greatly anticipated Qatar World Cup 2022 is now well under way, with fans from dozens of countries flooding into the Gulf nation see their teams vie for the title.

There are undoubtedly some teething problems as Doha welcomes more visitors than it ever has in its 51-year existence.

So with 12 years to prepare, just how are things going on the ground?

Here, The National reporter Nick Webster joins host Sarah Forster to talk about what it's like at the centre of the action in Doha.

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  • Argentina fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Souq Waqif, Doha, while marking the second anniversary of Diego Maradona's death. PA
    Argentina fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Souq Waqif, Doha, while marking the second anniversary of Diego Maradona's death. PA
  • Ecuador's heroic striker Enner Valencia fired in an equaliser against the Netherlands. AFP
    Ecuador's heroic striker Enner Valencia fired in an equaliser against the Netherlands. AFP
  • Frankie de Jong of the Netherlands, centre, challenges for the ball against three of Ecuador's players. AP
    Frankie de Jong of the Netherlands, centre, challenges for the ball against three of Ecuador's players. AP
  • Ecuador's Jackson Porozo. AP
    Ecuador's Jackson Porozo. AP
  • Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammad collapses dejected on the pitch after his side's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. AFP
    Qatar's Ismaeel Mohammad collapses dejected on the pitch after his side's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. AFP
  • Senegal fans burst into rapturous celebrations in the stands as their team secure their first points of the World Cup. Reuters
    Senegal fans burst into rapturous celebrations in the stands as their team secure their first points of the World Cup. Reuters
  • Bamba Dieng of Senegal, right, is challenged by Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo. Getty Images
    Bamba Dieng of Senegal, right, is challenged by Abdelkarim Hassan and Assim Madibo. Getty Images
  • The vocal Senegal fans at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images
    The vocal Senegal fans at Al Thumama Stadium. Getty Images
  • The fan zone at Al Bidda Park, Doha, was packed with fans from around the world as Qatar played Senegal. Reuters
    The fan zone at Al Bidda Park, Doha, was packed with fans from around the world as Qatar played Senegal. Reuters
  • Roozbeh Cheshmi celebrates scoring Iran's first goal against Wales. PA
    Roozbeh Cheshmi celebrates scoring Iran's first goal against Wales. PA
  • Wales's goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, right, collides with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. He was sent off shortly after. AP Photo
    Wales's goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, right, collides with Iran's Mehdi Taremi. He was sent off shortly after. AP Photo
  • Police officers confiscate an Iran fan's 'Women Life Freedom' flag inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
    Police officers confiscate an Iran fan's 'Women Life Freedom' flag inside the stadium before the match. Reuters
  • One emotional Iran supporter holds a shirt reading 'Mahsa Amini' in memory of the 22-year-old who died in Tehran in September. AP Photo
    One emotional Iran supporter holds a shirt reading 'Mahsa Amini' in memory of the 22-year-old who died in Tehran in September. AP Photo
  • An Iran fan outside the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, before his team's Group B match against Wales. Reuters
    An Iran fan outside the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, in Umm Al Afaei, west of central Doha, before his team's Group B match against Wales. Reuters
  • An Iran fan has his face painted ahead of the clash with Wales. Reuters
    An Iran fan has his face painted ahead of the clash with Wales. Reuters
  • Hijinks involving Australia's Andrew Redmayne and Cameron Devlin during training at the Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty Images
    Hijinks involving Australia's Andrew Redmayne and Cameron Devlin during training at the Aspire Training Ground in Doha. Getty Images
  • Wales fans gather next to a giant bucket hat decorated with their country's flag, at the Corniche Walk Way Park in Doha, ahead of their Group B game against Iran. PA
    Wales fans gather next to a giant bucket hat decorated with their country's flag, at the Corniche Walk Way Park in Doha, ahead of their Group B game against Iran. PA
  • Wales fans attach their country's flag to railings at the Corniche Walk Way Park. PA
    Wales fans attach their country's flag to railings at the Corniche Walk Way Park. PA
  • A mural of Diego Maradona at West Bay in Doha, on the second anniversary of the Argentina football legend's death on November 25, 2020. AP
    A mural of Diego Maradona at West Bay in Doha, on the second anniversary of the Argentina football legend's death on November 25, 2020. AP

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MATCH INFO

Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
 
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Updated: March 06, 2024, 8:25 AM
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