The director of Football in Germany has hit out at FIFA and condemned Qatar’s treatment of the rainbow community ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Oliver Bierhoff made the comments during an interview with German media group Funke, where he described Qatar’s current laws regarding same-sex relations are “completely unacceptable”.
“It in no way corresponds to my views,” the 54-year-old said, according to Goal.
Bierhoff then went on to question how such a country could win the rights to hosting a world cup – a county that continues to punish same-sex relations by up to seven years imprisonment or see gay Muslim men punished with the death penalty.
“What award criteria for a World Cup does FIFA actually apply? Because awarding a tournament is the sharpest sword to push for the necessary change.”
“This has to happen before the award and not after. Otherwise, you have no leverage left to enforce it.”
“The award criteria must be closely linked to human rights issues,” Bierhoff added.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar kicks off on Monday, November 21, at the Al Thumama Stadium when Senegal takes on the Netherlands in Group A, followed by hosts Qatar against Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium.
