2022 World Cup – Our friend Qatar
But the key figure in this world is a woman, Sihem Souid, a former border police officer who made a name for herself in 2010 with a hard-hitting book, “Omerta dans la police.” After serving as spokesperson for Arnaud Montebourg, she joined Christiane Taubira’s cabinet at the Ministry of Justice. She also contributed to the weekly Le Point. It was through her that the Emir secured, this past September 15, the magazine’s cover and no fewer than 16 pages of interviews to promote his regime. Sihem Souid was recruited by Meshal al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to France from 2013 to 2016. “He was there to clean house, to end the era when French politicians treated Qatar like the Bank of France,” says this 41-year-old woman, whose bluntness is unusual for a communications professional. In other words: change Qatar’s image. Polish it up.
Sihem Souid also makes no secret of her frustration, as she struggles to find support for the emirate just weeks before the World Cup: “I’m tired of people who go there to do business and then hide when it comes to defending us! We’d like the government to tell the truth. Qatar is an ally of France and has nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks to this World Cup, a lot has improved on the ground.”