![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/keep-politics-and-virtue-signalling-out-of-qatar-world-cup-so-we-can-enjoy-it/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/crop-20290958.jpg&description=THE World Cup is nearly upon us, and the wall of negative noise around this year's tournament is increasingly deafening. Many are appalled it's being held in Qatar at all given the alleged corruption that is believed to have won them the rights to hold international sport's richest and most prestigious event, and the country's mistreatment of migrant workers and non-existent LGBT rights. England skipper Harry Kane will wear a OneLove rainbow armband during the World CupCredit: PA It all kicks off in Qatar on November 20 - but criticism of the event has become 'increasingly deafening'Credit: Reuters Piers reckons if footballers are really offended by Qatar's human rights failings, then they shouldn't go Last week, Australia's Socceroos team released an earnest video expressing concern about the 'suffering' of migrant workers and the inability for gay people in Qatar 'to love the person that they choose'. Separately, England captain Harry Kane declared he's going to wear a OneLove anti-discrimination armband during the games to register his own protest. And now, Ukraine's Association of Football has demanded that Iran be banned from taking part due to its reported kamikaze drone support for Vladimir Putin in his illegal war on their people, and also cited Iran's "systematic human rights violations" including a brutal crackdown on domestic protests. So, there's a lot of high moral outrage flying around, and there will be a lot of on-field halos glinting in the ferocious Qatar heat come November 20 when the World Cup starts. But I can't be the only one wishing we could just keep all the politics and virtue-signalling out of it so we can just enjoy the football? The time for proper serious debate about Qatar's suitability to host the tournament was surely during the bidding process twelve years ago, not three weeks before it starts? And if the argument against them running it is that they have a poor human rights record, which is an undeniable fact, then what about the o){kind=link}
THE World Cup is nearly upon us, and the wall of negative noise around this year’s tournament is increasingly deafening.
Many are appalled it’s being held in Qatar at all given the alleged corruption that is believed to have won them the rights to hold international sport’s richest and most prestigious event, and the country’s mistreatment of migrant workers and non-existent LGBT rights.
Last week, Australia’s Socceroos team released an earnest video expressing concern about the “suffering” of migrant workers and the inability for gay people in Qatar “to love the person that they choose”.
Separately, England captain Harry Kane declared he’s going to wear a OneLove anti-discrimination armband during the games to register his own protest.
And now, Ukraine’s Association of Football has demanded that Iran be banned from taking part due to its reported kamikaze drone support for Vladimir Putin in his illegal war on their people, and also cited Iran’s “systematic human rights violations” including a brutal crackdown on domestic protests.