Gulf media must support Qatar 2022, say information ministers

GCC information ministers have called on their countries' media to "counter criticism" of Qatar's 2022 World Cup.

Meeting yesterday, the ministers of the six-nation Gulf coalition agreed to back the tiny peninsula's hosting of one of the planet's largest sporting events, Qatar News Agency reports.

Ministers added that it was "the simplest" of the media's duties to highlight the "cultural and economic gains" brought about by Doha's hosting of the tournament.

Qatar has come under intense pressure from international media, human rights groups, trade unions and football associations due to financial opacity in Fifa's bidding process and conditions of migrant workers working on the project.

"[Ministers called on media to] counter all those who seek to question the right of the State of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, stressing GCC states' full solidarity... and encouraged media in the GCC to continue countering these campaigns at home and abroad," the statement from the council read.

Qatar won the bidding process to become the first Arab country to host the World Cup in 2010.