FORMER IRELAND GOALKEEPER Shay Given has said that countries pointing the finger at Qatar for their multitude of problems should look at themselves first
The World Cup will start in less than 2 weeks, and in the lead up to the event the country has been slammed for its views towards LGTBQ+ people, and migrant workers rights.
"There are other countries, and I live in one of them as well, who have done stuff in the past which were not entirely ethical. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones." https://t.co/EimhVZdUGq
— Independent Sport (@IndoSport) November 4, 2022
Danish kit Hummell have created a protest kit for the tournament, Australia have produced a message for Qatar to change its stance on the various issues highlighted.
While rumours of players and teams supporting the rainbow laces campaign in a country not known for progressive views towards gay people has become another hot topic.
While FIFA, the football governing body in charge of the event, have asked teams not to bring politics into the tournament and to ‘enjoy the football’.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said this week: "We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.
"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."
Speaking at RTÉ’s World Cup launch this week, Given said ‘it was a bit rich for countries to call out Qatar when they themselves have big problems themselves.
“I feel sometimes it’s a bit rich seeing different parts of the world hammering Qatar”.
He continued saying, “There are other countries, and I live in one of them as well, who have done stuff in the past which were not entirely ethical. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. Nobody is exempt from things that have happened.”
“There’s talk about protests (in Qatar). I don’t know all the facts because different reports are saying different numbers of people who have passed away. I just want to talk about the football and the excitement of a World Cup. That’s not me brushing it under the carpet.” he added.
Many people took issue with Given’s comments and took several swipes the former Ireland number one
“What a selfish and heartless view of the world he has, to actually have a platform and instead of using for good, choosing to use it dismiss people's suffering like that. Can't respect someone like this,” said one user on Twitter.
"I just want to talk about the football" Well Shay unfortunately a bunch of lads kicking a ball around, in a country where its illegal to be gay, doesn't seem as important as the lives of 7000 people who died so you could have a nice corporate jolly,” added another.
The World Cup starts on the 20th of November.
"I just want to talk about the football" Well Shay unfortunately a bunch of lads kicking a ball around, in a country where its illegal to be gay, doesn't seem as important as the lives of 7000 people who died so you could have a nice corporate jolly. https://t.co/c4qfa5MPmF pic.twitter.com/P6PceVhsxA
— Andy McCarroll (@Andymc1983) November 4, 2022
