Qatar 2022 World Cup will be the most homophobic in the history of international football
The Qatar 2022 World Cup Organizing Committee is grappling with controversy over human rights, particularly LGBT+ and women’s rights, and through Executive Director Nasser al Khater wanted to ‘reassure’ LGBT+ footballers and fans who will travel to Qatar for the competition. In particular, Nasser al Khater deliberately responded to Josh Cavallo – an openly gay Australian footballer – who had expressed his fears about travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Josh Cavallo would be welcome in Qatar, no one is unsafe there. But public displays of affection, which are frowned upon, should be avoided. It is the only indication that must be respected, for the rest everyone can live their own life
Nasser al Khater
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In Qatar, homosexuality is forbidden by law, in particular by Sharia law, and is punished with fines and seven years in prison. It is also punishable by the death penalty, but only for Muslims, although there is no concrete evidence of death sentences for the crime of sodomy.
Many civil rights associations have spoken out against FIFA’s decision to organize the 2022 World Cup in an openly homophobic country. Unfortunately, money is more important than civil rights.
Interviewed by CNN and the Independent, Executive Director Nasser al Khater, in addition to talking about civil rights, stressed that ”homosexuals can come to Qatar like any other fan, and they can behave like any other person. What I am saying, simply, is that from the point of view of the perception of affectivity in public, ours is a conservative society”.
Gays are welcome in Qatar, but the important thing is that they stay ‘inside the wardrobe’.