WILL CLARK - Moral compass must direct where World Cup staged in future
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THE World Cup kicks off next weekend and the moral integrity of Qatar being chosen to host the tournament has been brought into question ever since it was chosen as the winning bid 12 years ago.
The country’s poor human rights record, together with its treatment of foreign workers in the build up to the event, as well as restrictive laws in the country had led to some calls for qualified teams to boycott the event.
However, according to Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, these calls have fallen on deaf ears, claiming tickets for matches have almost sold out.
A number of countries, including England, Australia, Denmark and the Netherlands have highlighted the plight of migrant workers in Qatar.
But they have still been criticised for going to play in the tournament despite their gestures.
However, these countries should not feel like they have a gun to their heads whether they should play at the tournament or not.
They have been forced into an impossible position by FIFA, who overlooked Qatar’s human rights record and decided the tournament should still be played there.
FIFA are the only ones who should be held accountable for the decision for the tournament to be played in Qatar.
Blame or pressure should not be pushed on to individual countries.
Of course, players could take a stand if they don’t want to play at the World Cup in Qatar.
However, that would be a really difficult decision for a country like Wales, who have reached the tournament for the first time since 1958.
Can you imagine Gareth Bale, the greatest footballer Wales has ever produced, turning down his only chance to play in the biggest tournament in the world?
Some countries have come out and protested, if not boycotted, the World Cup being held in Qatar.
Denmark have removed the national team badge, Hummel logo and decorative white chevrons from their kits, with an all-black option unveiled to honour migrant workers who died during construction work for the finals tournament.
Australia released a video with 16 players delivering their message line by line, raising concerns about the suffering of migrant workers and the inability in Qatar of LGBTI+ people to love the person that they choose.
The Netherlands and Germany, both wore t-shirts during their World Cup qualification campaign which said “Human Rights. On and off the pitch.”
Fifa has written to all 32 teams competing at the World Cup telling them to “now focus on the football” following the controversial build up to the tournament next Sunday.
But they have brought any criticism and protests on themselves by awarding the biggest football tournament in the world to the Gulf state.
I don’t agree with the World Cup being awarded to Qatar due to their appalling human rights record.
But I also think it is wrong asking players and countries to boycott the World Cup and give up their chance of playing at a tournament which brings so much joy.
FIFA must learn from this lesson and choose venues in the future where fans are allowed to be themselves and everyone is treated with respect.
