Martin von den Driesch photography

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  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9072v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9049v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9040bwv.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9038v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9038bwv.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9036v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9078v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9073v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9072bwv.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9069v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9049bwv.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9047v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9044bwv.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9043v.jpg
  • portrait Sir Rocco Forte: EUROPE, RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, 02.10.2008: this portrait was taken at the Astoria Hotel in St. Petersburg - a 5-star hotel adjacent to St. Isaac's Square.   Sir Rocco Forte is the Chairman and Chief Executive of The Rocco Forte Collection, the luxury hotel company that he founded in 1996. The Rocco Forte Collection includes luxury hotels all over the world and the company has won dozens of awards for both, its service and the design of its hotels, which his overseen by Sir Rocco's sister, Olga Polizzi. Sir Rocco was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive of Forte Plc. Sir Rocco was knighted in December 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry and received the highest Italian accolade, the Gran Croce dell'Ordine al Merito della Republicca Italiana, for his entrepreneurial merits and strong links with Italy in March 2005. He was President of the British Hospitality Association from 1991 to 1996. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council and chaired the appeals to send the English teams to the Commonwealth Games for many years. He is currently Principal Patron of the charity Hospitality Action.<br />
Sir Rocco was educated at Downside School in England and went on to read modern languages at Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduating, he qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1969, later becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1979. Sir Rocco married Lady (Aliai) Forte in 1986. They have three children: Lydia, Irene and Charles.
    M081002_X5F9040v.jpg
  • Doha, October 27, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is checking here new emails on his iPad, with a packed moving box in the background.
    M131027_MG_5840_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, October 27, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown with his two children, playing in the hallway of their house.
    M131027_MG_5837_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1943_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1937_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1928_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1916_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1915_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1900_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1896_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1889_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1878_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, together with French football trainer Stéphane Morello who is also not able to leave Qatar.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: After nearly five years in limbo, Morello has finally obtained an exit permit to leave Qatar in late October 2013.
    M130917_F8A9498_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 17, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche.
    M130917_F8A9478_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, October 28, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Mr. Belounis is shown here in a Doha park together with his wife.
    M131028_F8A6202_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, October 28, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here in a Doha park, as his world has turned upside down.
    M131028_F8A6200_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 17, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Mr. Belounis is shown here in his kitchen, together 2 children.
    M130917_F8A9460pr25.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 24.06.2011: A political podium discussion at a tent of the Yemen Youth Movement on Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110624_DSF1689pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi in front of her family tent set up near Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1199pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi in front of her family tent set up near Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1198pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi in front of a tent set up near Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1181pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1164pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1163pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: At Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1101pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0346pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: 2 young anti-government protesters at Change Sqaure in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime
    M110620_DSF0442pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause.
    M110620_DSF0137pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: At Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0277pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0348pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0349pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0222pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0223pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0357pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0360pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0148pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0147pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0144pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0141pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0140pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause. A mischief is quickly led away by soldiers.
    M110620_DSF0129pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause.
    M110620_DSF0111pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause.
    M110620_DSF0110pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Tent at Change Square. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0087pr15.jpg
  • Doha, October 27, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Here the family clothes, ready to be packed into a suitcase.
    M131027_MG_5825_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1922_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1906_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1905_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 17, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Mr. Belounis is shown here in his kitchen, together with his wife and children.
    M130917_F8A9449pr25.jpg
  • Doha, October 28, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here in a Doha park together with his wife.
    M131028_F8A6203pr25.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi in front of her family tent set up near Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1190pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi in front of her family tent set up near Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1188pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1174pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1165pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1162pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1160pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Anti-government activist Reem al-Gaifi at Change Square in Sana, Yemen's capital. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1159pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: Tents of anti-government protesters near Change Square in Sana, Yemen. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110622_DSF1110pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0443pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: A woman walking the street near Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0054pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: At Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0278pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0310pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0317pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0350pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Here is a little girl performing a poem on stage.
    M110620_DSF0370pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0460pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0324pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0342pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0168pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0155pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0149pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0143pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0139pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0138pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause. A mischief is quickly led away by soldiers.
    M110620_DSF0131pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause. A mischief is quickly led away by soldiers.
    M110620_DSF0130pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. A protest march by Yemeni women is protected by soldiers which became loyal to the protester's cause.
    M110620_DSF0107pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: Yemeni women undergoing a security check at the entrance to Change Square. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0095pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: Anti-government protesters holding a mid-day nap in their tent. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0048pr15.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1926_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1891_pr30.jpg
  • Doha, September 20, 2013<br />
<br />
Zahir Belounis is a French professional footballer currently trapped in Qatar under its controversial labour laws.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old has not been allowed back to France since June 2012 because he has been embroiled in a legal dispute with his former club al-Jaish, who play in the Qatar Stars League, over two years' unpaid wages.<br />
<br />
Under the Kafala system that ties employees to their sponsors, migrant workers cannot leave the Gulf state unless their employer agrees and Belounis has been left in limbo in Doha with his wife and two daughters. <br />
<br />
They are staying in an half-emply house, as most of his furniture was sold when he got word in that a solution is close. But no progress has been made since then. In November 2013, Belounis has written an impassioned plea to the former 2022 World Cup ambassadors Zinedine Zidane and Pep Guardiola asking them to intervene on his behalf, published by The Guardian newspaper.<br />
<br />
Belounis is shown here at the Doha corniche, with traditional boats (dhows) and the modern skyline in the background.
    M130920_F8A1881_pr30.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 22.06.2011: At Change Square in central Sana. For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime.
    M110620_DSF0041pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0220pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0221pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0346pr15.jpg
  • Turmoil in Yemen: ASIA, YEMEN, SANA, 20.06.2011: For months, protesters of all colors have been staying in tents at Change Square, demanding the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and an end to his regime. Young Yemeni women - many of them mothers - have been an active element of these protests, claiming more rights and freedom.
    M110620_DSF0361pr15.jpg
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