The latest charges included possessing violent extremist material, conspiring to prepare for a terrorist act and carrying a knife in public
France's Macron says Qatar must move towards ‘tangible changes’
‘This football World Cup is a sign of tangible changes underway. Qatar is headed in this direction. It must continue, and it can count on our support’
Published : 27 Nov 2022, 02:55 AM
Updated : 27 Nov 2022, 02:55 AM
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday urged Qatar to continue in the direction of "tangible changes" that he said are signposted by Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup.
"This football World Cup, the first organised in an Arab country, is a sign of tangible changes underway. Qatar is headed in this direction. It must continue, and it can count on our support," Macron said on Twitter during the France-Denmark game.
France became the first team to book a spot in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday when it defeated Denmark 2-1 in a tense encounter.
Earlier this month, Macron had said sports should not be politicised, brushing off suggestions that he should boycott the World Cup in Qatar.
As the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup, the small nation has come under intense pressure for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws.
The government of Qatar has said its labour system was a work in progress, but has denied many of the accusations levelled against it.
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Macron's comments fitted with his reputation as a diplomatic disruptor who likes to break taboos and challenge conventional thinking
