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Berlin Court Says FIFA’s ‘Climate‑Neutral’ Qatar 2022 Claims Were Misleading

The injunction blocks further use of the marketing, highlighting demands for transparent proof of emission cuts versus offsets, with the ruling not yet legally binding.

Overview

  • The Berlin District Court ordered FIFA to stop saying the Qatar 2022 tournament was fully climate‑neutral.
  • The ruling also bars claims about energy‑efficient stadiums, low‑emission transport, and compensated “unavoidable” emissions tied to that event.
  • The case stems from a Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband lawsuit over statements on FIFA’s website during online ticket sales.
  • Judges found the assertions insufficiently explained, leaving unclear how much was achieved through real emission cuts versus offsets.
  • The injunction covers retrospective statements about the World Cup and is not yet legally binding, as the consumer group accused FIFA of deceiving buyers.