The World Cup in Qatar leaves me cold and Fifa should have opposed the hosts, says openly gay Northern Ireland referee Ryan Hanna
Irish League referee Ryan Hanna says he cannot watch matches at the World Cup in Qatar amid ongoing controversy over the country’s human rights record.
Anna, Northern Ireland’s only openly gay football referee, says the tournament, which was supposed to be a football festival, leaves him cold.
While Qatar’s successful bid to host the tournament has been questioned, there is also anger because same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalized in Qatar, women’s rights are also restricted and there are major concerns about the treatment of migrant workers with deaths at stadium construction sites, although the numbers are disputed.
In Qatar, homosexuality is punishable by up to three years in prison. A report by Human Rights Watch, as recently as September, documented cases of Qatari security forces arbitrarily arresting LGBT people and “abusing them in custody”.
Earlier this week it was confirmed that England, Wales and other European nations would not be wearing the OneLove armband due to the threat of players being cautioned.
The captains, including England’s Harry Kane and Wales’ Gareth Bale, had planned to wear the armband during games to promote diversity and inclusion.
Germany’s players covered their mouths to take a team photo yesterday to protest being banned from wearing an anti-discrimination armband.
National coach Flick said it was a “sign” from his team.
“It was a sign, a message that we wanted to send out. We wanted to send the message that Fifa is silencing us,” he said after his team’s 2-1 defeat by Japan.
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German players cover their mouths in protest
Hanna, referee at the Lough 41 Championship and fourth official in the Danske Bank Premier League, says he still cannot believe the tournament will be played in Qatar.
“A World Cup in Qatar leaves me cold,” said the 33-year-old.
“I haven’t seen a game yet. I wouldn’t referee a game there and I feel sorry for the players in the tournament who are not feeling well. I might watch the semifinals or the final, but I don’t really care.
“Recently there was an article about two Premier League players who are in a relationship and people will be scared. Players should focus on their performances and not have to face those worries.
“But the human rights abuses are appalling, including the sad loss of so many migrant workers building the stadiums.
“Women are also discriminated against and when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he felt like a migrant worker, how do you think the families of the deceased migrant workers felt?”
Hanna says he believes Fifa has given in to pressure from Qatar to force European nations to drop the OneLove armbands.
“My interpretation is that Qatar has pushed Fifa to put pressure on teams not to wear the armband,” he added. “They gave the teams no choice because if they had worn the armband, the players would have been cautioned.
“It’s a sad development, but I can understand why the teams didn’t want to receive sanctions. It’s an uncomfortable situation to defend against. I don’t agree with disagreements in football and I believe they should be addressed more, but it’s difficult to come from me, they have to come from the organizations above me. You have to want it to happen.
“I don’t blame the players. I think Fifa should have been strong enough to stand up to the country and say ‘we won’t do this’.
“How determined was Qatar to stop the wearing of the armbands?
“If Harry Kane had been wearing the armband that would have been a statement but I can see why he chose not to. England have a great chance of winning the World Cup and they won’t jeopardize that.
“But a country with such a poor human rights record shouldn’t be awarded a World Cup.”
Hanna also criticizes former England players Gary Neville and David Beckham who work at the tournament.
Former England captain Beckham is an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar and has reportedly inked a £10million deal with the World Cup hosts.
Neville works for the Qatar broadcaster beIN Sports.
“I don’t blame the players, it can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in a World Cup, but I object to some artists and commentators taking money from Qatar,” continued Hanna, who lives in Newry.
“Gary Neville and David Beckham could have made a bigger statement. It’s sad because I’m sure they are pro LGBT people.
“Are they going to donate money to LGBT charities? You don’t need the money.”
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino
Hanna has previously accused the Irish FA of not supporting him after he was subjected to vile homophobic slurs during a game.
The alleged incident involving a player in a friendly match in the summer of 2019 was a traumatic chapter in his life.
Hanna was reportedly labeled a ‘gay b*****d’ and ‘f***ing f****t’ but the player didn’t comment during the trial and the case went unproven by the Irish FA- Disciplinary Committee.
Ryan is now pleased to report that positive discussions have been held with the Irish FA and Northern Ireland Football League aimed at making football a more welcoming environment for the LGBT+ community.
The last positive meeting took place yesterday.
“There’s a real willingness to move things forward and make people feel safe in the LGBT community,” he added.
“The Irish FA and Northern Ireland Football League are definitely on board to implement a strategic plan to make football in Northern Ireland a welcoming place for the LGBT+ community.
“I would also like to see a week geared towards showing respect and support for the LGBT community so that clubs and players can support them if they choose to do so.
“It’s an opportunity for clubs to show their support.”
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/world-cup/world-cup-in-qatar-leaves-me-cold-and-fifa-should-have-made-a-stand-against-hosts-says-openly-gay-northern-irish-ref-ryan-hanna-42169666.html The World Cup in Qatar leaves me cold and Fifa should have opposed the hosts, says openly gay Northern Ireland referee Ryan Hanna