The channel, which is effectively run by the Qatari state, also has the exclusive rights to the World Cup next year.īeIN refused to criticise Aboutrika over his comments, but said: ‘As a global media group, we represent and support people, causes and interests of every background, language and cultural heritage.’ĭavid Beckham has also been criticised by human rights groups after signing a £10million-plus deal to be the Gulf State's ambassador.

Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a friend of England legend David Beckham, is the chairman of beIN Sports. No, it is not human rights – in fact it’s against humanity.’ He was not challenged on his views and will not be disciplined nor sacked. He added: ‘They will tell you that homosexuality is human rights. Pictured: Workers lay the turf inside the Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, November 18 He also criticised the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community, calling for Muslim players to boycott it.Īboutrika said ‘such a phenomenon does not fit our faith and it does not fit our religion’, adding it is ‘not only against Islam’s nature, but it’s against human nature’.Ī conservative estimate of 6,500 migrant workers - mostly from South Asia - have died building the tournament's stadiums in sweltering conditions. The country's attitude towards LGBTQ+ rights were in the spotlight earlier in December when Football pundit Mohamed Aboutrika, a former Egypt international, launched the offensive tirade on beIN Sports - a channel owned and run by Qatar. In November, the English Football Association assured LGBTQ+ fans that they would be welcome in the country for the World Cup, with Qatar appearing to soften its anti-LGBTQ+ stance for the tournament, saying rainbow flags would be permitted.īut there are fears over possible repercussions for LGBT+ Qataris - who may display such flags during the tournament - once the World Cup has ended.Īmnesty International has accused the Football Association of failing to engage with it over human rights abuses in Qatar – unlike associations in other countries - with a spokesman saying they had not spoken to the FA since 2020.īut the FA said last month it was 'categorically incorrect' to claim there has been no dialogue since March 2020, adding: 'We are in dialogue with Amnesty and also with FIFA, UEFA, other member associations and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.'

Qatar's rights record has been under the spotlight ever since it was chosen as host of the 2022 World Cup in 2010. 'The campaigns resulted in the seizure and release of several violations, including the confiscation of children's toys bearing slogans that go against Islamic values.' The ministry of commerce and industry 'carried out inspection campaigns on several retail outlets in different regions across Qatar', it said on Twitter (pictured).

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