FIFA threatens to cancel contracts with Qatar hotels over anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination
FIFA has threatened to sever ties with Qatar hotels over anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. In November, the highly anticipated 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to take place in the Gulf state between November and December.
Since the news was announced, activists have expressed concerns over the tournament’s location due to the country’s strict anti-LGBTQ laws.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution. Even though World Cup officials have previously encouraged the LGBTQ+ community to attend the event, new information shows that the warm welcome may not be a universal sentiment.
According to a report from Norwegian Broadcaster NRK, Denmark’s DR, and Sweden’s SVT, a team of journalists discovered that some of the FIFA-approved hotels in Qatar are not accepting of LGBTQ+ individuals.
