Hansi Flick will lead Germany at Qatar 2022, but his view is that the country’s human rights record means it is not fit to host a World Cup.
Germany head coach Hansi Flick has expressed firm opposition to Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup, just two months out from the opening game.
Former Bayern Munich boss Flick will lead Germany at a major tournament for the first time, taking over from Joachim Low following Germany’s last 16 exit to England at Euro 2020.
Germany will face Japan, Spain and Costa Rica in Group E, with their first match against Japan on November 23, three days after Qatar take on Ecuador in their opening match.
Speaking to a German newspaper on Tuesday, Flick said the question of whether Qatar’s offer would be accepted as legitimate “should have been answered much earlier – no!”.
He told Suddeutsche Zeitung: “It is clear that there is a lot wrong in Qatar in terms of human rights and sustainability.”
The Arab country has faced external criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, as well as its record on women’s rights and its treatment of LGBTQ people.
Human rights campaigner Amnesty has called for migrant workers to be compensated for the “suffering they endured” in Qatar during the World Cup build-up, urging FIFA to support a “remedial programme” and warning of the prospect of the tournament being “indelibly tainted by people”. violation of rights’.
Flick has also expressed concern about the World Cup in Qatar in the past.
In a speech in August, Flick said the World Cup would not be a tournament “for the fans” and would instead go against his belief that “football should be here for everyone”.
With Qatar’s limited accommodation facilities, the high costs involved in making the trip and the move midway through the European club season, the competition presented issues for fans, clubs and players that went beyond moral debates.
Flick told the Frankfurter Rundschau: “[I have friends] who would like to fly to Qatar, but have decided not to for various reasons. Football should be here for everyone. That’s why I say it’s not a World Cup for fans. .”
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