The story: Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faesar has sparked controversy after questioning Qatar’s suitability as the host of this year’s FIFA World Cup—seemingly over Doha’s human rights record. The criticism has sparked an online campaign by Arab users in solidarity with Qatar as the first Arab state to host the football tournament. This comes against the backdrop of the Qatari Emir’s recent warning of the motives behind the “unprecedented” scrutiny his country has faced since being chosen to host the World Cup. 

The coverage: In an interview with German media on Oct. 27, Faesar stated, “There are standards that must be adhered to, and it would be better not to grant the right to host tournaments to such countries” that allegedly violate “respect for human rights” and “principles of sustainability.” 

• Qatar’s foreign ministry summoned the German ambassador on Oct. 28 to protest Faesar’s controversial remarks. In an associated statement, the ministry emphasized that “prominent human rights groups and organizations of the United Nations have praised Qatar’s labor reforms.”
  
  
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf on Oct. 29 also condemned Faesar’s statements. Hajraf described Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup...