Gary Lineker’s opening monologue for the BBC’s introduction to the World Cup immediately addressed Qatar’s human rights record.
The controversial competition began today with the host nation facing Ecuador in Group A, with the game live on the BBC.
Lineker, who recently vowed to speak out about the issues while covering the tournament, jumped right into the controversy before the show’s pundits spoke further about the issues.
“It is the most controversial World Cup in recent history and not even a ball has been kicked,” he said. “Since FIFA chose Qatar in 2010, the smallest nation to host soccer’s biggest competition has faced big questions.
‘From accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums where many lost their lives. Homosexuality is illegal here and women’s rights are also in the spotlight. Also the decision to change the tournament from summer to winter.
‘With that backdrop, there is a tournament to be played here that will be seen and enjoyed all over the world. Stick to football, say FIFA, well, we’ll do that for a couple of minutes at least.
The BBC’s Gary Lineker addressed human rights issues in Qatar in his opening monologue at the start of the organization’s coverage.
The World Cup kicked off on Sunday with host nation Qatar facing Ecuador in Group A
Controversy surrounding human rights, such as workers’ rights and LGBT laws, has engulfed the preparation for the tournament.
Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Ashley Williams were working as pundits and also addressed Qatar’s behavior since the tournament was handed over to them, with Shearer in particular criticizing the award.
He said: ‘Every country has its own problems, including our own country, and I’m not saying we’re perfect, we’re far from it, but we were there in 2010 and we were as surprised as anyone.
“First of all, it was announced that it was a winter World Cup, air-conditioned stadiums, air-conditioned fan festivals and all that. Three months later it is announced that the first match of the World Cup is moved to today and 11 of those 22 members who had that vote for FIFA have been sanctioned, fined or banned for life.
“Mohammed bin Hammam of Qatar, who was president of the Asian football association, has been banned for life, even Joseph Blatter recently said it was a mistake, so that’s where we are with this World Cup.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer trusted FIFA for tournament award
Ashley Williams added that she felt there was “zero consideration for human rights and workers’ rights” from FIFA.
Williams then turned to FIFA, adding: “I think when they awarded Qatar the tournament, there were no considerations for human rights and workers’ rights and no considerations for the construction of the stadiums.”
‘It’s been 10 years before we’ve seen changes to that to improve working conditions and labor laws. The only positive thing is that this international tension has led to some reform. I think it only becomes sports washing when we don’t talk about it.’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino delivered an astonishing speech on Saturday when he once again pleaded for the tournament’s focus to be on soccer, calling “one-sided” criticism “hypocrisy.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino delivered another jaw-dropping speech on Saturday, again pleading for the focus to be on football.
Alex Scott criticized Inantino for his words and for not committing to a compensation fund for families who have lost loved ones.
Scott criticized Infantino for his words, calling the 52-year-old “confusing and utterly bizarre.”
“I’m trying to understand, you brought a World Cup here and I’m trying to understand about a culture,” he said. “I am trying to understand everything: the whole context of what is happening and what the FIFA president said yesterday is confusing and absolutely foreign to me. How can you say “today I am a migrant worker”? No, you are not and you never will be.
‘Yeah, he’s moved on and now there’s a minimum wage in this country that happened in the last two years, £1 an hour, £240 a month, his salary is £1.5 million or whatever, you’ll never know how much it’s like. being a migrant worker and for families now losing loved ones trying to make a living is absolutely bizarre.
The opening ceremony at Al Bayt Stadium took place before kick-off on Sunday afternoon.
“And for FIFA to award clubs compensation of over £200m to allow their players to play here is absurd because they are not even committing to a compensation fund for families.”
Several fans have criticized the organization’s decision to focus on the issues instead of football right away, with many labeling Lineker and the station “woke”.
‘BBC going full roused early on. #worldcup2022qatar leaves politics out of football. I hope all the messengers of virtue have a beautiful afternoon. said one user.
And the BBC Television Wake Up Festival has begun! Lineker was bad enough normally without an agenda to fuel his awakening! added another.
