In many respects the presence of Frappart mattered so much more than the performance. There has been much, very justified, criticism of the decision to host the World Cup in a country that criminalises same-sex relationships and where LGBTQ+ people have fewer rights, where women’s rights are hugely restricted, and in stadiums built on the bodies of migrant workers.
Frankly, I do not understand why this fierce attack on Qatar, especially since it won the opportunity to organize the World Cup since 2010, and there was no criticism at the time, although the human rights situation there was much worse than it is today.
On the other hand, any country can be condemned in the same way. South Africa organized the World Cup and society suffers from racial and ethnic discrimination. Russia has also never been a paradise for its residents, and human rights issues are very urgent.
I am not defending Qatar and I know that human rights are the last thing the human rights authorities might think of, but I would like to hear suggestions about countries free from all kinds of persecution and discrimination against minorities or against human rights activists so that we blame Qatar.
