Australia’s Socceroos call for reform in Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup
Australia’s men’s national football team have condemned Qatar for its human rights record ahead of the highly anticipated World Cup.
On 20 November, teams from around the world are set to compete in the highly-anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup – which will be held in the Gulf region.
Since the news was announced, activists and footballers have expressed concerns over the tournament’s location due to the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws and treatment of foreign workers.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution. With the tournament right around the corner, players from Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) – aka the Socceroos – have called on the gulf region to introduce inclusive changes regarding their conservative laws. “Through football, those of us that have had the honour to represent our country have had the opportunity to learn about the world and its people,” the players said in a video message released on 26 October. “There are universal values that should define football.
