Socceroos’ efforts to slam Qatar abuses get boost; no gay Aussie fans travel to 2022 FIFA World Cup – Daily Mail

The efforts of Socceroos players to highlight the lack of rights for gay people in Qatar have received a huge boost, with the federal sports minister set to confront the oppressive regime on their draconian homosexuality laws.

Annika Wells, who recently chaired the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) meetings, will meet Graham Arnold’s squad on Wednesday, a day after Australia’s World Cup opener against France.

She had previously confirmed she will visit the Arab nation to hold talks with the Qatari government over LGBTI and migrant workers rights. 

Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which is set to be held in Australia and New Zealand, earlier this month, Wells said it was important Australia didn’t stay silent on the lack of basic human rights in Qatar. 

‘I’ll be going to Qatar because it’s important that we participate in these discussions. We can’t be on the sidelines if you want to see change. You have to be in the room,’ she said at the launch of the Women’s World Cup draw in New Zealand.

‘There is work to be done in Qatar.’

Wells, who is a lawyer by trade, also insisted, despite the opinions of some fans, that sport and politics DO mix, because in some cases – such as gay people in Qatar – people’s lives are at stake. 

‘Sport is more than big business. It’s a hugely powerful and influential social institution,’ she said during her speech at the draw ceremony, hinting at her desire to confront the Qatari regime.

‘I don’t see it as a failure that governments and the law need to be more involved in sport. I see it as a reflection of how important sport is to our lives, our economies, and our culture.’

Last month, several Socceroos, the players union and the governing body went public with their concerns over workers’ rights and LGBT laws in the Arab nation.

As well as addressing the well-documented treatment of migrant workers, with up to 6500 dying during the building of World Cup infrastructure in Qatar, the Socceroos addressed the fact homosexuality is still criminalised in the country. 

‘As players, we fully support the rights of LGBTI+ people, but in Qatar people are not free to love the person they choose,’ the video, released on Socceroos’ social media pages in late October.

A statement from Football Australia also reaffirmed their desire for gay rights to improve not just while the globe is watching during the World Cup, but after the tournament.

‘As the most multicultural, diverse, and inclusive sport in our country, we believe everyone should be able to feel safe and be their true authentic selves,’ FA’s statement read.

‘Whilst we acknowledge the highest levels of assurances given by HH Amir of Qatar and the President of FIFA that LGBTI+ fans will be safely welcomed in Qatar, we hope that this openness can continue beyond the tournament.’

Controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino was not impressed at the public criticism by the Socceroos, and other countries participating in the World Cup who have made similar stances. 

On Saturday, he delivered an hour-long rant at a press conference where he declared western nations like Australia were hypocritical to make moral judgments.

He also insisted World Cup would be safe for LGBTI+ fans, despite homosexuality being punishable by up to seven years jail – or even death by stoning for Muslim people.  

That’s not something gay Socceroos fans are keen to take on face value, with groundbreaking LGBT club Sydney Rangers saying no gay Aussies have made the trip over. 

‘Following so hot on the heels of staging a tournament in Russia, our members who had travelled in the past they’re just saying no, enough’s enough,’ president Chris Hicks told AAP.

‘We’re not going to support this. We’re not going to go to that country and spend our money in a place where it’s not okay to be ourselves.’

The Albanese government’s engagement with Qatar stands in contrast to the approach under Malcolm Turnbull to the Russia-hosted 2018 tournament, when Australia engaged in a diplomatic boycott amid heightened tension.

Similar concerns were held for LGBTI+ rights in Russia, where gay people face significant social and legal hurdles despite homosexuality being legalised.

Instead of heading over to the oppressive heat and lack of human rights of Qatar for the men’s World Cup, many LGBTI+ fans are instead choosing to wait a year for their fix, when Australia and New Zealand host the women’s tournament in 2023.

Wells said she wanted visiting fans ‘to be able to participate in the beautiful game in a way that is safe and inclusive’.

Given there are many world-class Matildas players like Sam Kerr and Chloe Logarzo, and fans, who identify as queer, no doubt next year’s tournament, with well over 1million people set to attend, will be a far more open and enjoyable affair for many. 

New Zealand sport minister and deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson, who is gay, is not heading to Qatar despite being next year’s hosts.

He said the 2023 tournament would be ‘truly inclusive’, urging LGBT fans to plan their travel.

‘I’d make a pitch to all fans … we welcome everybody to New Zealand and Australia, no doubt for what will be a tremendous time,’ he said.

It will be a bipartisan approach for Australia in Qatar, with Wells set to be joined by the opposition’s sports spokeswoman Anne Ruston, which the minister said showed the enormous significance of the event – and the importance of the message.

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