On Sunday (20), when Qatar and Ecuador enter the field in the opening match of the World Cup, the tournament will be divided into three: those who defend that the World Cup should have been boycotted due to the terrible record of the host country in relation to human rights ; those who think athletes, fans and spectators have nothing to do with it; and those who believe in a middle ground. I am in the third group and I explain why.
This week I watched the excellent documentary “FIFA Uncovered”, which shows the backstage of what is one of the most powerful organizations in the world.
The documentary reveals how the host of the 2022 World Cup uses sportswashing — when countries or organizations use sport to improve their reputation. So did Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the Argentine dictators at the 1978 World Cup.
The scandals involving corruption and greed, and the accusations about Qatar’s candidacy are really sickening. But I don’t believe that asking for cancellation, boycott or change of venues now, on the eve of the competition, is the most efficient way to deal with the problem.
Former English player Gary Neville, today one of the main commentators on TV in the United Kingdom, is being massacred for having criticized the hosting of the World Cup in Qatar, but having agreed to travel to the country to work covering the games.
A few days ago, I saw a journalist saying on the BBC that the England team had to boycott the tournament and that no Brit should turn on the television or go to the pub to watch the games. Does he really think that a player who has waited his whole life to compete in life’s most important competition simply has to give up going? You can’t be that naive.
On the other hand, it is equally naive —and cruel— to be the opposite: using the excuse that sport and politics don’t mix, that if workers died building stadiums and a World Cup ambassador said that homosexuality is a mental illness, you have nothing to do with that and the important thing is to see your national team playing while having a beer with friends.
Gary Neville, journalists from all over the world, fans, athletes have the right to go to the Cup, yes, even to try to show what is wrong. To solve problems, we need to talk about them. I don’t see any contradiction in a player going to Qatar and, at the same time, protesting, criticizing, manifesting himself on controversial issues involving this Cup. Thus, more people educate themselves on the subject. And then, who knows, the pressure increases to change the source of the controversy and create stricter candidacy criteria.
Not allowing nations that are demonstrably disrespectful of human rights to even try to host major sporting events would be a more efficient solution.
And why should you, the fan, care? It’s simpler just thinking about football, I know. It’s entertainment, your leisure time. But that’s exactly why too – and, of course, because we need to empathize with the pain of others.
Decisions that govern a sport loved by billions of people are in the hands of very few. And this is not just in football. How to ensure its survival if there is no accountability? Reflecting costs nothing.
As a seasoned news journalist, I bring a wealth of experience to the field. I’ve worked with world-renowned news organizations, honing my skills as a writer and reporter. Currently, I write for the sports section at News Bulletin 247, where I bring a unique perspective to every story.
