Buddies are being urged to boycott the World Cup as one Renfrewshire politician warns there is "nothing beautiful" about Qatar's human rights record.
Paul O’Kane MSP has criticised those attending the World Cup in Qatar due to the country’s “undisputed bad” record on LGBT+ rights – as well the rights of women and migrant workers.
The West Scotland Labour MSP has blasted Scottish Football Association chiefs, president Rod Petrie and chief executive Ian Maxwell for attending the event and said people of influence should not be seen to be condoning the actions of the Qatari authorities.
“Football is the beautiful game but sadly there’s nothing beautiful about the World Cup being hosted by a country where oppression and intolerance thrives,” Mr O’Kane said.
“If you’re planning to attend the World Cup in Qatar, particularly if you’re in a position of power or great influence, you must ask yourself what kind of message you think that sends out to the world about human rights.
“The inconvenient truth for those who want to go to the World Cup is that Qatar is a state that denies human rights – denies the rights of the LGBT+ community, suppresses the rights of women and has demonstrated quite clearly that it has no regard for well-being of migrant workers.
“Petrie and Maxwell, like many others, could’ve done the right thing and declined the invitation on the basis of all those facts and used it as an opportunity to highlight the great injustices taking place in Qatar.
“I hope they change their mind.”
He added: “There is a lot of talk from FIFA about anti-discrimination, fairness and equality but the fact the World Cup is taking place in Qatar is the bleak reminder there’s maybe too much talk and not enough action on those principles.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup begins on Sunday, November 20 – the first time the tournament has been held in the winter season for European countries.
It has been plagued by controversy ever since it was announced the country would host the event in 2010.
FIFA has faced allegations of corruption, come under fire for hosting the tournament in a country with searing temperatures and for the country’s treatment of migrant workers who have been hired to build six new stadiums.
A spokesman for the SFA told the Paisley Daily Express: “The Scottish FA is supportive of all measures to improve human rights conditions in Qatar.
“As a member association of UEFA and FIFA, we are aware that these matters have been raised by UEFA’s Working Group on Qatar to FIFA’s general secretary and we have been kept informed on developments along with colleagues from the Home Nations and across Europe.
“The Scottish FA will continue to contribute to this forum in support of improvement in human rights in Qatar and to ensure the forthcoming World Cup is a welcoming, safe and inclusive tournament experience for all.”
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