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Being gay is 'damage in the mind', Qatar World Cup ambassador says

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Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman said being gay is "haram".

An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as "damage in the mind".

Two weeks before the football tournament begins in the Gulf state, former Qatari footballer Khalid Salman told a German public broadcaster being gay is "haram", or forbidden in Arabic.

In excerpts of the television interview shown on ZDF's news programme Heute Journal, Mr Salman said he has a problem with children seeing gay people.

Mr Salman went on to say homosexuality "is spiritual harm".

"During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let's talk about gays," Mr Salman said in English, which was simultaneously dubbed into German in the TV segment.


"The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules," he added.

When asked why it was haram, Mr Salman said: "I am not a strict Muslim but why is it haram? Because it is damage in the mind."

Interview cut short

The interview was immediately cut short by a press officer of the World Cup organising committee after Mr Salman described being gay as "damage in the mind", ZDF reported.

Around 1.2 million international visitors are expected in Qatar for the month-long tournament, which has been criticised ever since the gas-rich emirate was selected as host by Fifa in December 2010.

There have been concerns about the conservative country's treatment of homosexuals living in the country as well as LGBTQ tourists attending the World Cup.

World Cup organisers did not immediately respond to Sky News' request for comment.

Labour's shadow sports minister Jeff Smith said the onus was now on the World Cup organisers to condemn the comments.

"They need to say this person doesn't represent us, doesn't represent the ethos and the manner in which the World Cup is meant to be run, and say LGBT people, along with all other people, are welcome," he told BBC Radio 4's World at One.

Robbie de Santos from LGBT group Stonewall said he was surprised but not shocked by the views.

"It is shocking to hear such comments in the run up to what should be an absolutely joyous, inclusive, global celebration. Such a divisive comment is just really, really hard to hear," he said.

"I think that the tournament is going to happen, people are going to watch it, but it is going to be really uneasy for so many people to watch a tournament which has just been mired in so much controversy."

Calls for boycott

There have been calls for people to boycott the World Cup due to Qatar's stance on gay rights.

Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer has said he and his Labour colleagues will not attend.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was accused of being "shockingly tone-deaf" last month after he urged LGBT football fans to be "respectful" of Qatar if they visit the country for the World Cup.

The Gulf state's foreign minister told Sky News those criticising the tournament are "arrogant".

"Preaching from a distance is not a solution," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani.

"Calling to boycott the World Cup, or those who are not coming to the World Cup, it's their decision at the end of the day, but why deprive the people and the public from attending and enjoying the World Cup."

LGBT Qataris arrested and abused, rights group claims

It comes after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report claimed security forces in Qatar have been arbitrarily arresting and abusing LGBT Qataris recently.

HRW said it had interviewed six LGBT Qataris, including four transgender women, one bisexual woman and one gay man, who reported being detained between 2019 and 2022.

They said they had been detained without charge in an underground prison in Doha and subjected to verbal and physical abuse, including kicking and punching.

One individual said they were held for two months in solitary confinement.

Being gay is 'damage in the a**', Qatar World Cup ambassador says.​

There you go i corrected it. :enjoy:
 
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LOL the Western countries have pledged that they won't promote Qatar as a country during the world cup.

 
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I wish one day we get to host a WC and Olympics and pull boss moves(my personal take on this specific instance aside which is not in line with most in the forum)- there's potential of being a great powerhouse but bad people in charge just to keep that potential caged :sad:
 
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England defender Lotte Wubben-Moy says she will not be watching the men's 2022 World Cup because it is in Qatar.

Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers.

"It's tough. As an England team we all have strong values," said 23-year-old Wubben-Moy, a member of the victorious England Women's squad at Euro 2022 .

"A lot of those values aren't reflected in the way that we see it in Qatar."

The World Cup starts on 20 November and runs until 18 December.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar because it is considered immoral under Islamic Sharia law with punishments ranging from fines to the death sentence.

The host country's World Cup organisers have stated "everyone is welcome" to visit the country to watch the football matches and claimed no one will be discriminated against.

However, Qatar 2022 chief executive, Nasser al Khater, has said the government would not change its laws on homosexuality, requesting visitors "respect our culture".

England captain Harry Kane, along with the captains of nine other teams from Europe, will wear 'One Love' armbands to protest against Qatar's anti-homosexuality laws.

"I think it's a tough conversation to have and there's a lot of dialogue around it," added Wubben-Moy.

"I personally will be supporting the men's team, but I won't be watching. I think it's hard to talk about. But at the end of the day, we're one team here at England and we know that they have an opportunity to play at a World Cup.

"It's hard to look beyond that really."

Fifa recently wrote to competing nations asking them to "now focus on the football" instead of the competition's controversial build-up.

The Fifa letter was criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales, while 10 European football associations - including those of England and Wales - said "human rights are universal and apply everywhere".

However, Conmebol, the South American football confederation, says it is "time to leave controversies behind".

Wubben-Moy said: "Sport is a very strong vehicle for change.

"To underestimate that would be naive, I think. I've seen a lot of the players have strong viewpoints and I salute them and I wish them the best in looking to express that throughout this World Cup.

"It's a World Cup and, for a lot of these players, they might not ever play in a World Cup again, so I can't comment on them choosing to go because many people would take that same choice as well.

"But I think sport is very strong for change and in any way possible that they can use this opportunity to help bring about change, I think that's important."

Baroness Sue Campbell, the Football Association's director of women's football, said she has "massive respect" for players speaking out.

"We don't put a moratorium on what you have to say. I respect their views. They're not saying it to be controversial, they're saying it because it matters to them. I think that's important," she added.

"For me personally, I am a member of the FA and we don't pick where the World Cup is - Fifa do that. All we can do is, through our players, demonstrate our values.

"Is it an ideal situation? Probably not, but it's where we are and we now need to get behind Gareth [Southgate] and the team.

"Progress has been made in Qatar, but there's an awful lot more to do. I think it's a difficult one for us or any country to sit in judgement on another. We have our own issues."


when illiterates congregate.

Hey nigga. Whose side are you on? You gonna do a Ukraine here and remain neutral?

Just look at all the controversy.


 
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LMAO



A very different tone from the South Americans.

Conmebol backs Fifa’s call to focus on soccer ahead of Qatar World Cup

South America’s governing body calls for ‘disagreements and fights to take a back seat’ amid concerns from European associations.

 
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Brits hav nothing better to do than to watch football…..they’ll all be watching it on tv
They best worry about winter/heating/gas

I’m glad Qatar showing some balls….awesome
 
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Brits hav nothing better to do than to watch football…..they’ll all be watching it on tv
They best worry about winter/heating/gas

I’m glad Qatar showing some balls….awesome

It has been a complete witch hunt against Qatar since the last few months. Normally people are excited when the world cup nears the kick off. This time around it is one massive propaganda campaign by a certain quarter to boycott the world cup in Qatar.

What is even more hilarious, right wingers who usually promote hate against migrants and refugees are now concerned about workers treatment in Qatar.

Another fun fact, people that are crying about LGBTQ rights in European countries have some of the most homophobic football fans in the world. It is funny how these people are angry at Qatar for being homophobic.
 
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I just think these westerners are pissed at Qatar not bending to their political correctness and tantrums
All religions forbid homosexuality but these ‘christians’ don’t wanna follow theirs. Yet they quick to celebrate thanksgiving and xmas
 
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