World Cup reporter robbed live on air in Qatar opening
Published
| Last updated
A journalist was robbed live on air while reporting from the World Cup in Qatar.
Loading…
The long-awaited tournament finally kicked off yesterday (20 November), with Ecuador beating the host nation 2-0.
And in the build up to the opening match, Argentine reporter Dominique Metzger was conducting a live broadcast from the Corniche area of Doha.
However, during her report, items from Metzger's handbag, including money and documents, were stolen.
She later reported the incident to the local police and claimed that she found the exchange a bit confusing.
Recalling her conversation with an officer, Metzger said: "I went to the station and that was when the cultural differences began.
"The policewoman said to me, 'We have high-tech cameras everywhere and we are going to locate him [the thief] with face detection. What do you want the justice system to do when we find him?'"
After asking for some clarification with regards to what the officer meant by this, Metzger claimed the officer said: 'What justice do you want? What sentence do you want us to give him? Do you want him to be sentenced to five years in prison? Do you want him to be deported?'
The journalist said she simply wanted her items returning to her, though it's still unclear at this moment whether they have.
Ahead of the tournament kicking off this week, the majority of the talk has been about the issue of human rights in Qatar, and whether the World Cup should have been held there in the first place.
And Gary Lineker was praised by fans for his powerful monologue at the start of the BBC's broadcast yesterday.
The former England international turned TV presenter delivered a scathing speech on FIFA's corruption in awarding Qatar the tournament, and Qatar's record on human rights.
He said: "Ever since FIFA chose Qatar back in 2010 the smallest nation to have hosted football's greatest competition has faced some big questions.
"From accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums, where many lost their lives."
"Homosexuality is illegal here, women's rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight. Also the decision six years ago to switch the World Cup from summer to winter."
Watch it in full here:
Loading…
Wrapping things up, the presenter said attention would turn towards the football as 'there's a tournament to be played', and he explained that the World Cup would be 'watched and enjoyed around the world'.
Lineker ended the speech by addressing those who demanded that critics of Qatar 'stick to football', promising that they would 'for a couple of minutes at least'.
Viewers praised Lineker's speech, with one person saying 'that's how you open a World Cup TV coverage', applauding the former footballer for 'not holding back'.
Another approved of the way he 'went straight into it', while a third called it a 'very powerful intro'.
