Ottawa has “no plan” yet to send a dignitary to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar as calls grow for participating countries to take a stand on human rights issues in the host nation.
The 2022 men’s World Cup, the first to be played in the Arab world, kicks off on Nov. 20. The tournament, which is traditionally played in June and July, has been moved up to avoid playing in the severe Middle Eastern heat.
Canada will play in the prestigious tournament for the first time in 36 years after qualifying earlier this year. However, the Canadians will be playing in a tournament that has been clouded with controversy ever since 2010, when Qatar was announced as host.
Allegations of mistreatment of migrant workers building World Cup infrastructure have been made for years, and recently, Qatar’s record on LGBTQ2 rights has been in question.
Ottawa, which announced a diplomatic boycott for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics earlier this year over China’s poor record on human rights, told Global News that no plan has been made yet for a federal dignitary to attend the World Cup.
“The Government of Canada is proud of the Canadian men’s national soccer team qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” a spokesperson with Heritage Canada told Global News on Oct. 21.
“Their qualification is a historic event in itself and all Canadians look forward to cheering them on in November. So far, no plan has been made for a dignitary to attend the event.”
The spokesperson did not elaborate as to why plans haven’t been made yet for a dignitary to attend the World Cup, and redirected Global News on Thursday to another department when asked.
Multiple requests asking whether the decision so far not to send a dignitary is linked to Qatar’s human rights record were not returned by Global Affairs Canada, Heritage Canada and the foreign affairs and heritage minister’s offices by publication time.
An aerial view of Ahmad Bin Ali stadium at sunset on June 23 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Ahmad Bin Ali stadium, designed by Pattern Design studio is a host venue of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 starting in November.
David Ramos/Getty Images
The nation has vowed LGTBQ2 fans won’t face arrest, but Qatari security forces arbitrarily arrested and abused LGBTQ2 Qataris as recently as last month, HRW said on Oct. 24.
A Qatari official called HRW’s allegations “categorically and unequivocally false,” in a statement.
World Cup organizers say everyone is wecome, no matter their sexual orientation or background, but that hasn’t stopped participating nations from speaking out.
Australia’s team put out a three-minute video on social media on Wednesday demanding genuine reform as a legacy of the Gulf country’s staging of the World Cup; Danish players will wear jerseys that were designed as a protest against Qatar’s human rights record, and its players will travel to the World Cup without their families as another form of protest.
Several major French cities, including Lille, Strasbourg and Bordeaux, will not organize fan zones or put up giant outdoor screens to show games; eight of the 13 European teams competing said in September they want their captains to wear an armband with a heart-shaped, multi-coloured design during games to support the “One Love” campaign against discrimination.
FIFA rules forbid teams from bringing their own armband designs to the World Cup, and insist they must use equipment provided by the governing body.
A government official, speaking on background, told Global News Thursday it’s up to the players and Canada Soccer to decide if they will take any similar measures.
As fans, Canadians have the ability to bring about change, Page said.
“We can push Canada, both its government as well as the soccer federation, to reflect our values as we see them,” he said.
“In this case, that’s supporting LGBT people’s rights, fundamental rights in Qatar and speaking out on it, and it’s pushing for this remedy fund so … that we can try to address some of these abuses that make us so uncomfortable as fans.”
— with files from The Associated Press and Reuters
