Reporter robbed live on air in Qatar as the World Cup kicks off

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By James Kay

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A reporter at the World Cup in Qatar was robbed whilst doing a live report, with the thief stealing her wallet and documents.

The tournament in Qatar has never been far from controversy since it was announced that the country would be hosting the event.

It was announced 48 hours before the tournament that beer would no longer be sold within the stadiums, a controversial move that coincided with a Netflix documentary adding insight into alleged bribery taking place to secure Qatar as the host nation.

As the tournament commenced on Sunday with Ecuador defeating Qatar 2-0 in Doha, a reporter from Argentina became the victim of a robbery as she was live on air.

Dominique Metzger was in the Corniche area of Doha when she says the items were stolen from her, reports the Daily Mail.

After the incident, she spoke to the anchor at Todo Noticias (TN) and outlined what had happened. She said: "I had my small bag on me with all the things that one needs, my wallet, the keys to our hotel room, some napkins.

"I was dancing with the crowd and I'm convinced that it was at that moment when someone opened the bag zipper and took my wallet."

The robbery wasn't captured on camera, but the report showed the journalist dancing with fans and her bag hanging down by her side. "I didn't realize at that moment, you know you're live on air, with music and crowds around you, and I was focused on you talking to me too. So I wasn't paying attention," she explained.

She went on: "After I finish my live report, I wanted to take my wallet to buy a water bottle and then I realized I didn't have it."

When Metzger came to report the crime, she was shocked at the response from the police. "Male police won't register you," she explained. "As soon as I got to the police station, they took me to another place where there were only women. I asked why I was there and they told me as I'm a woman, it has to be a policewoman who has to help me.

"The moment my declaration was taken was shocking. They told me, 'What do you want justice to do about this? We will find the wallet... We have cameras everywhere, high-tech cameras and we will find the thief with face detection technology. What do you want the justice system to do to them when they are found?'"

Metzger explained that the police were asking her what she would like to happen to the culprit. They offered suggestions such as deporting the individual or sentencing them to five years in prison.

The reporter declared that she just wanted her possessions returned.

Featured image credit: Fifg / Alamy