As the 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place in the Gulf state, the commentary has focused not only on the game but on the human rights record of the Persian Gulf nation on LGBTQ+
In a normal tournament, the festival of football would bring the world together, but this one has been marred by concerns over how LGBT+ fans will be treated.
According to Anne Lieberman, a founder member of the organization, the LGBTIQ Human Rights Sports Coalition has been in contact with Qatari officials for almost two years, but no categorical safety guarantees have been given.
“This quite clearly suggests to us that LGBTIQ people, whatever their role, will not be protected from the state and its repressive anti-LGBTIQ legislation, or from other potential risks to their safety,” Lieberman said.
Also, human rights groups roundly criticized the conditions that migrant workers had to work under. But FIFA has defended its choice.
In a press conference hours before the World Cup started in Qatar, FIFA President Gianni Infantino accused Western countries of “hypocrisy,” saying they were not in a position to provide “moral lessons” to other countries.
The Swiss Italian also added that Europe should address its past crimes before pointing fingers at Qatar.
“I’m European. For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years, we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons to people,” Infantino told hundreds of reporters on Saturday.
“I came here six years ago and addressed the matter of migrant workers straight on, in my very first meeting,” Infantino said, pausing and looking straight at the gathered journalists.
“How many of these European or Western business companies, who earned millions and millions from Qatar and other countries in the region – billions every year – how many of them addressed the rights of migrant workers with the authorities?
“I have the answer for you. None of them,” the FIFA chief said, adding “the one-sided moral lesson is just hypocrisy.”
“I have been speaking about this topic with the highest leadership of the country. Several times, not just once. They have confirmed, I can confirm, that everyone is welcome.
“Every decision that is taken in this World Cup, is a joint decision between Qatar and FIFA. Every decision is discussed, debated and taken jointly. There will be, I don’t know how many, fan zones – eight, 10, big fan zones, over 200 places where you can buy alcohol,” Infantino said.
In remarks to reporters at the end of the news conference, FIFA media chief Bryan Swanson, who is gay, also added that everyone is welcome in Qatar.
“I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Gianni Infantino since I’ve joined FIFA, in particular from the LGBTQ community,” Swanson said.
“I’m sitting here in a privileged position on a global stage as a gay man here in Qatar. We have received assurances that everybody is welcome and I believe that everybody will be welcome in this World Cup,” he added.
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