“Human Rights should play the biggest role”- Former Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm openly boycotts 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup


“Human Rights should play the biggest role”- Former Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm openly boycotts 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup

Philipp Lahm, a former captain of Germany and Bayern Munich, has decided not to attend the World Cup this winter due to Qatar’s dismal human rights record.

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FIFA has been under heavy fire for choosing the tiny Gulf country, with a population of just over two million, to host the competition.

When given the hosting rights for the World Cup, which has been relocated to the winter this year owing to the severe summer temperatures in the country, Qatar was rated 113th in the world and had never before qualified for the competition.

Since the nation was selected as the host in 2010, its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers have also drawn harsh criticism.

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Philipp Lahm will not be flying to Qatar for the World Cup:

Philipp Lahm for Bayern

Lahm, a former fullback for Bayern Munich, led Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and is currently the German FA’s director of the 2024 Euros.

The 38-year-old, though, claims he will not go to the World Cup in Qatar.

“I’m not part of the delegation and I’m not keen on flying there as a fan,” Lahm stated. I prefer to follow the tournament from home. Human rights should play the biggest role in the awarding of a tournament. If a country is awarded the contract that is one of the worst performers in this regard, you start to think about the criteria used to make the decision.”

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“That shouldn’t happen again in the future. Human rights, sustainability, the size of the country… none of that seems to have played a role.”

More than 6,500 migrant workers have perished in Qatar since it was named the host country 12 years ago, according to a 2021 investigation by The Guardian, with 37 of those fatalities being specifically related to the building of the tournament’s venues.

Amnesty International claims that women and the LGBTQ+ group are similarly persecuted in Qatar, where “authorities continue to suppress freedom of expression using oppressive legislation to muzzle critical voices.”

In Qatar, homosexuality is prohibited, and same-sex partnerships can result in criminal proceedings and a seven-year prison term.

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Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has emphasized that “all are welcome” in the Gulf state and has invited LGBTQ+ soccer fans to attend the competition.

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