Abdullah Ibhais Seeks to Sue FIFA After Three Years in Qatari Prisons

Abdullah Ibhais, the former media manager for Qatar's World Cup organizing committee, has initiated legal proceedings from Jordan to reopen his case after spending over three years in Qatari prisons. His imprisonment, which lasted from November 2021 until March 2025, stemmed from severe disagreements following his refusal to deny labor protests that marred preparations for the global tournament.

The incident dates back to Ibhais's resignation in 2019 after he declined to participate in a campaign to deny a workers' strike and allegations concerning inadequate humanitarian conditions and unpaid wages. He was subsequently detained for the first time just two months after leaving his position.

Although a Sudanese judge had previously released him on bail, deeming the case "completely fabricated," Ibhais later received a five-year prison sentence via mail. This prompted him to go on a hunger strike inside Al-Rayyan Central Prison in protest of his conviction on bribery and fraud charges, which he vehemently denies.

The former media official is currently seeking legal support in Switzerland with the aim of securing a retrial. He accuses the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) of complicity in his situation through its silence and by favoring the official narrative.

Ibhais stated in this regard: "For me, FIFA was complicit in everything through omission, silence, and protecting Qatar's narrative." He also noted that the pressure he faced was aimed at silencing him, asserting, "If you don't obey their orders, you become a threat," and emphasizing that the sole purpose of his prosecution was to completely silence him.