Prior to his speech, the Norwegian football president was warned not to raise issues worthy of criticism. In the hall sat an overwhelming number of delegates with long careers from top-flight football and direct links to the conditions Klaveness brought.

The president of Norwegian football recently went straight for the attack. After that, he was reprimanded by World Cup manager Hassan Al-Thawadi, but also received great support from other football associations.

On Thursday, he was presented with the award in Oslo.

– It tastes great. I feel humbled because this is in the name of Norwegian football. It is also good with attention that can strengthen the case. It was also a great arrangement (around the awards ceremony) which I will soon forget, Klaveness told NTB.

female journalist

– There are many reactions from many countries and not only from Europe. This surprised me. I know it’s controversial and it will attract attention because there’s something about the setting. I was surprised by the interest in countries like Argentina and Brazil and countries outside Europe.

Klaveness told of many journalists from countries outside Europe who stated that they paid attention to Qatar’s speech.

– There are also some female journalists who say that they experience touch and it (speech) is important to them in their work.

German support

Klaveness’s newly elected colleague from Germany, Bernd Neuendorf, was quick to lend his support, and Klaveness says the two have talked a lot together.

They agreed to work to fund a migrant worker center in Qatar. The aim is also to set up a fund to compensate the families of those injured and killed at a World Cup construction site in the Gulf nation.

– There are very concrete conversations, so directing them to a goal that becomes important.