The World Cup in Qatar divide france, its politicians, footballers and sports leaders. To see it or not to see it? to go or not to go? To travel or not to travel? Complete boycott?
From the way his appointment as FIFA headquarters was obtained, the suspicions of corruption, his history of disrespect for human rights in the country, the exploitation of migrant workers who built the air-conditioned stadiums in the middle of the desert, have been creating a moral and political dilemma in the French republic.
Three cities boycott it
Paris, Lille and Marseille will boycott the World Cup in Qatar. their mayors they refuse to display giant screens to see, as it normally happens in their cities. Between November 20 and December 18, the French who want to attend the World Cup will do so at home.
Martin Aubry, the socialist mayor of Lille, said that “we will not broadcast any party on a giant screen”.
The mayor of Reims, Arnaud Robinet, cites one of the “most controversial events in the history of sport”.
Paris joined on Monday evening. “For us it is not a question of installing broadcasting areas for matches for several reasons: the first is for the organization of this World Cup, both for the ecological and social aspects. The second is temporality. the fact that it takes place in December”Said the head of sport in Paris, Pierre Rabadan.
The ecological mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic, clarified: “I do not want to be accused of complicity with such a demonstration, with this mismanagement of energy. This transmission it will be indecent when we call our fellow citizens to sobriety, ”he said.
Qatar has decided to postpone the World Cup for the winter, to avoid the oppressive summer temperatures of the months of July and August, which in the area can reach 50 degrees. The stadiums were built with outdoor air conditioner, a bad word for the green mayors of Paris and Bordeaux. In Paris practically air conditioning it’s a taboo in family homes.
Hollande’s Call
Calls for a boycott of the World Cup in Qatar began two months ago in France and are multiplying. The former French socialist president, Francois Hollande, did not want to weigh on the players the possibility of going or not going but on President Emmanuel Macronanother football fan like him.
“If I were acting as head of state at the Elysée, I wouldn’t go there,” said Francois Hollande, who was at the Stade de France when the Islamic terrorist attacks in France began at the stadium and cafes.
“I can’t ask football players not to go to a competition they’ve been preparing for for years,” he said. “I think that for a PSG (Paris St Germain) player to evoke Qatar is not necessarily easy compared to his employer,” he explained, when the owner is none other than the Emir of Qatar, who studied at the military school. in France . .
But Hollande asked to consider “the social role of a footballer” as Kilyan Mbappé.
“On the other hand, an elite player or an athlete, and there are many, was able to act to fight the racism of which he himself was a victim. They were able to commit themselves to certain causes, in particular on the climate issue or on human rights, ”recalled François Hollande.
“Maybe some will speak when they are at the World Cup. But it’s not sure why This is not the place where you should express your point of view, when you wait for a player to first perform their mission, which is to win their competition, “he said.
“When Mbappé takes a stand on an issue, he greatly mobilizes a certain number of young people. When we see the number of followers on social media, “he added.” Being an athlete isn’t just about playing with a ball and running fast. It is also about have a social role and it’s not that easy to impose this responsibility on the players, “Hollande said.
Like the World Cup 78
The World Cup in Qatar is generating the same controversy that the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, when the Military Junta reigned, and the concentration and extermination camps in Europe had been reported, as were the disappeared.
Then the Dutch runners-up refused to reach out to the military junta, who was at the stadium when Argentina won the World Cup in the final against Holland.
The human rights are the other aspect under discussion with the Qatari regime. The French mayors criticize the lack of respect for human rights by the Qataris, especially in the treatment of foreign workers, who built the stadiums and those who died tryingin accidents at work.
Martine Aubry, a former socialist minister and mayor, believes that “it makes no sense in terms of human rights.” The environmental mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian, explained that the city of her, “European capital, seat of the Court of Human Rights, cannot allow abuse and close your eyes when human rights are violated ”.
Marseille was the last city to join the boycott. “The city of Marseille is committed to a fairer and more inclusive sporting practice. Marseille, committed to the construction of a green city, noor you can contribute to the promotion of this World Cup 2022 in Qatar “, said the mayor’s office in a statement after calling it a” humanitarian and ecological catastrophe “.
The party that brings together Los Insumisos in France has launched a petition and called for a boycott. I consider it “A pure scandal” and “an ecological aberration”.
“You can love football and hate this World Cup,” said Los Insumisos deputy Alexis Corbière.
Cantona will not see the World Cup
Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona of France was another one who said that “this World Cup makes no sense. I won’t watch a single game, “he promised him.
French actor Vincent Lindon spoke of “a climatic and ecological aberration” The newspaper Le Quotidien on the island of Reunion published on the cover, in black: “Without us.”
“In the name of values, Le Quotidien boycott the World Cup 2022 “.
The reasons
The air conditioning in the midst of an energy crisis, the terrible working conditions of the workers, those who have been deported to their countries of origin after finishing the work and have not been able to finish paying their debts with the agents who bring them from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh or the Philippines to Qatar, the allegations and suspicions of corruption are just some of the the reasons.
There is talk of creating a solidarity fund for immigrant workers, for the dead in the construction of stadiums and for their families, and for sexual minorities. The footballers discuss wearing a solidarity band on their jersey.
former footballer David Beckham he was named Qatar’s special ambassador for the World Cup and there is strong criticism.
“It’s perfection for me,” Beckham says in his promotion regarding the country. “IS the blend of modernity and traditionHe added after a payment of 11 and a half million euros for advertising. It has been heavily criticized on social media and among the LGBT community in Qatar.
Amnesty International also said the country has a “sad record” in terms of human rights “.
Paris, correspondent
ap
Source: Clarin
