Abdullah Ibhais is reunited with his family after serving more than three years in prison on made-up charges. In his first interview since his release, the Qatar World Cup whistleblower reveals he will sue both Fifa and former employer, the Supreme Committee.
By Håvard Melnæs
It’s just another sunny morning in Amman, and Abdullah Ibhais’ sons (9) and (7) are up before their parents, watching cartoons and laughing. Soon Abdullah and his wife will join the boys, before it’s time for breakfast.
“When I was in jail, I was longing for normal days with my family. Sometimes I feared that it would never happen again, you know, just having a normal day with my family, but here I am”, says Ibhais with a grin that can’t hide his happiness.
More than three and half years has passed since Abdullah Ibhais was abruptly arrested in his home at six in the morning on Monday 15 November 2021. Later that same day Ibhais had an interview appointment with NRK, the Norwegian state broadcaster, but when the interview was meant to take place, Ibhais found himself inside a prison cell.
Six days later the NRK team got an unexpected call from the World Cup organisers, the Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy (SCDL or SC): Hassan Al-Tha...
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