Those who go out in public without a face covering now face up to three years in prison and a fine of about $40,000. The Gulf country made the announcement on Qatar state TV this weekend.

Authorities have reportedly been stopping drivers along the country's roads to advise them of the new restriction. Although people driving solo are not mandated to wear masks, those in a car with others must have their faces covered. Read Qatar

The boss of soccer's governing body told Swiss paper Sonntags Zeitung that FIFA's influence is because of "the positive emotions it releases".

He said his organisation reaches 1.6 billion people.

"FIFA is more influential than any country in the world or any religion through the positive emotions football triggers," Mr Blatter said.

"We move masses. We want to use this to create more peace, justice and health in the world," he said.

According to the Washington Post, Mr Blatter, 79, added: "I believe in God and I believe in myself. That's why I can fulfil my duties independently of age."

But Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki of Cologne, himself an ardent soccer fan, issued a yellow card to Mr Blatter, according to The Tablet.

Speaking to Cologne church radio, Cardinal Woelki said that more than two billion Christians worldwide would soon be celebrating Easter and would, if necessary, lay down their lives for their faith.

"With all enthusiasm for football, I think Mr Blatter has vastly overestimated himself and his association.

"He's scored pretty much of an own goal and so belongs on the bench so that he can reorient himself and have another think," Cardinal Woelki said.

The cardinal acknowledged FIFA's social engagement, but also pointed to the link between big money and corruption in sport.

He cited the controversial FIFA choice of Qatar as the venue for the 2022 World Cup.

Cardinal Woelki highlighted worker exploitation and dangerous work practices leading to deaths on "world championship building sites" in Qatar.

He suggested this is where Mr Blatter and FIFA "should be putting the values for which they allegedly want to stand into practice".

The post of FIFA president is up for election in May.

Sources

• Washington Post
• The Tablet
• Daily Mail
• Image: The Guardian

Last month, the Guardian reported that over 400 Nepalese migrant workers had already died at building sites. Between 2010 and 2012 more than 700 workers from India lost their lives working on construction sites in Qatar, too. A report by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) says that if conditions don't get any better, by the time the World Cup kicks off, at least 4,000 migrant workers will have died on the job. Continue reading