This years FIFA has created a lot of controversy with fans and athletes alike. Here is why:
 

On its official website FIFA claims that it ‘embraces its responsibility to respect human rights across its operations and relationships’. So why have they hosted this years World Cup in a country that treats human rights violations like a to-do list?

 

FIFA claims that football is a sports that unites. It is a universal game which connects families, communities and, in turn, the globe. This is why when this years host country was announced, it was a unpleasant shock to many fans. Qatar is a theocratic state. This means that Qatar is a country which identifies itself with having only one religion, and all laws and governmental decisions made are based in their holy texts. Qatars state religion is Islam, and in their Holy Text (the Quran) there are numerous teachings condemning the “act of homosexuality”. Following this practice, Qatar has outlawed same-sex relationships, with ‘sodomy’ between men being worth a 3 year prison sentence. 

 

In 2010, shortly after Qatar was selected to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, FIFA President Sepp Blatter was asked about the political reality for gay people in Qatar, and he responded that queer football fans in Qatar "should refrain from any sexual activities." After being criticised for this remark, Blatter added that: "we at FIFA don't want any discrimination. What we want to do is open this game to everybody, and to open it to all cultures, and this is what we are doing in 2022".

 

Shortly after this statement was released, several competing nations released statements informing the Qatar Board of their plans to wear the ‘One Love’ armband at the competition. This was immediately received with backlash from the World Cup board, who informed the Captains that anyone wearing the armband would not be let into the fields. Despite these warnings from Qatars World Cup board, many footballers over the course of the event have shown solidarity with their LGBT fans by wearing the ‘One Love’ armbands. A notable example of this is Alex Scott. The former Lioness was one of the key commentators covering the event, and wore the armband numerous times whilst presenting.