The international FC St. Pauli community urges all football fans around the world to boycott the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
We don’t want to participate in the sportswashing of Qatar – a country known for its violation of basic human rights. As documented by Amnesty International (in their 2021/22 report: The state of the world’s human rights), Qatar oppresses rights of migrant workers, women, LGBTQIA+ people and oppresses the freedom of expression and assembly:
• Migrant workers are treated as modern slaves under the kafala-system, working and living under the most horrible conditions, barred from forming or joining trade unions. And thousands of workers have died in the construction industry.
• Women are facing broad discrimination in law and practice. They live tied to their male guardian, from whom they need permission for key life decisions.
• Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment by Qatari laws.
• Authorities oppress critical voices and limit freedom of expression by imposing abusive laws.
And the list of problems continues. But the problem about the 2022 World Cup is not just the obvious shameful decision to let an oppressive country host the games.
The 2022 World Cup is a symbol of the rotten state of modern football. And the ugly corruption and lack of morals in FIFA. A mafioso-like organization, only working for maximizing their own profits and accelerating commercialization of football.
FIFA wrote in a letter to the 32 participating countries: “… do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists. So, please let’s now focus on the football!”
But we say: Football IS politics. And by letting Qatar host the World Cup, FIFA emphasizes exactly that. By turning their blind eye and ignoring Qatars grim violation of basic human rights, FIFA has lost every legitimate claim to represent football.
FIFA says: Now our focus is football because #NowIsAll.
We say: Our focus is the future of football. So let’s #BoycottQatar2022