Socceroos star Tim Cahill DEFENDS World Cup host Qatar and says the country is ‘very westernised’ despite horrific human rights abuses but admits anti-gay laws are a problem
- Socceroos legend Tim Cahill is an official ambassador for the Qatar World Cup
- The event has been shrouded in controversy since the country sealed the deal
- Homosexuality is still illegal in Qatar and women continue to face discrimination
- Migrant workers who have been building stadiums were also allegedly exploited
Former Australian football star Tim Cahill has opened up about why he took his role as an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup amid allegations of corruption and human rights issues.
The Socceroos legend appeared on the Today Show on Friday where he defended his decision to take the role despite facing backlash.
Homosexuality is still illegal in Qatar and women continue to face discrimination.
The Qatar World Cup, which kicks off in November 2022, has also been shrouded in controversy, with event organisers facing allegations of corruption and the alleged exploitation of workers.
Cahill said he has been travelling to wealthy nation for about a decade now and believes conditions are improving.
‘It’s very westernized,’ he said on the morning show.
The Qatar World Cup, which kicks off in November 2022, has also been shrouded in controversy, with event organisers facing allegations of corruption
When questioned whether he had reservations about working with a country that puts homosexual people in jail, Cahill said he put a lot of thought into his decision.
He said he hoped to use his position to implement change and admitted Qatar’s attitude towards gay people was a problem.
‘Homosexuality is a big big thing and we have to address it to change it,’ he said.
‘I’m definitely not going to be ignorant to things that have gone on but I’m part of making things better and addressing these issues.
‘I feel that we’re doing a lot of great things.
‘Overall I feel there’s a lot of good that can be done and my job is to try to make sure…that I can play my part to try and change a perception.’
Event organisers have told LGBT fans they will be welcome in Qatar for the event.
Cahill (pictured with wife Rebekah) said he has been travelling to the richest nation on earth for about a decade now and believes conditions are improving
When finished the stadium will have a park and retractable roof for the 2022 World Cup
Paul Amann, founder of Liverpool’s LGBT supporters’ club Kop Outs, was invited by organisers to visit Doha in November last year and said he was ‘satisfied that their approach is to provide an ”everyone is welcome” ethos’.
However, he went on to say: ‘I’m not sure if rainbow flags generally will ever be accepted ”in-country”.’
Since Qatar won the right to host the event there have been allegations of corruption in the bidding process.
A firm linked to Qatar allegedly bribed officials almost $2 million to secure their votes to be able host the tournament. Those accused of accepting bribes have denied the allegations.
There has also been allegations that thousands of migrant workers who have been building the stadiums have been exploited.
Qatar, like other Gulf Arab states, relies on vast numbers of mainly Asian low-paid migrant workers.
Labor rights activists raised concerns about dangerous working conditions, allegations of unpaid salaries and other abuses.
FIFA World Cup kicks off on November 21, 2022, and the final will be played on December 18, 2022.
Qatar expects about 1.6million spectators to visit during the month-long competition, with around 160,000 requiring accommodation.