The Socceroos publicly criticized Qatar in a video ahead of next month’s World Cup for its shocking human rights record and laws that make it illegal to be gay.
They are the first FIFA World Cup team to publish a combined statement of protest, where they also highlighted the continued “suffering” of local workers ahead of the sports tournament.
The video message, delivered by 16 players, is supported by Football Australia, who issued their own statement on the matter.
The FA insists that the ‘suffering’ of the workers and their families stemming from the tournament ‘cannot be ignored’.
The World Cup kicks off on November 20 in Doha, in the oil-rich and highly conservative Middle Eastern state.
Migrant workers have endured oppressive conditions in Qatar and many have died while building infrastructure for the tournament in recent years, although the exact number of deaths is disputed.
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan was one of 16 players to criticize Qatar as a nation ahead of the World Cup next month because of its shocking human rights record.
According to The Guardian, as many as 6,500 workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it was given responsibility for hosting the World Cup in 2010.
The organizing committee for the Qatar tournament insists only three people died on the spot while building stadiums.
The Australian players featured in the video are: Captain Mat Ryan, Bailey Wright, Jamie Maclaren, Nick D’Agostino, Jackson Irvine, Craig Goodwin, Danny Vukovic, Andrew Redmayne, Mathew Leckie, Mitchell Duke, Mitch Langerak, Denis Genreau, Cameron Devlin, Adam Taggart and Kye Rowles.
Alex Wilkinson, president of the Professional Footballers Australia players’ union and captain of Sydney FC, also appears in the extended clip.
The collective message is clear: The decision to award World Cup hosting rights to Qatar has “resulted in the suffering and harm of countless co-workers”, while referencing that homosexuality is currently illegal in the country.
Cult hero goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne also highlighted the continued “suffering” of local workers ahead of the main sporting tournament in Qatar.
“We support FIFPro, the Building and Wood Workers International and the International Trade Union Confederation, seeking to bring reform and establish a lasting legacy in Qatar,” the video describes.
‘This must include the establishment of a resource center for immigrants, an effective resource for those who have been denied their rights and the decriminalization of all same-sex relationships.
‘These are the basic rights that must be granted to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar… [and] a legacy that goes far beyond the final whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
The players’ statement follows a series of briefings with numerous authorities over the past 12 months, including FIFA and the Supreme Committee for Qatar’s Legacy and Development, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
It also included groups that advocate for workers in Qatar.
Football Australia’s statement acknowledged recent legislative reforms in Qatar, but backed the players’ call for a migrant workers’ center to protect workers’ rights beyond the World Cup.
They also want people who identify as LGBTQ to be treated with dignity in Qatar.
The powerful video message, delivered by 16 players, is supported by Football Australia, who issued their own statement on the matter (midfielder Jackson Irvine pictured)
“As the most multicultural, diverse and inclusive sport in our country, we believe everyone should be able to feel safe and be authentic,” the FA statement said.
“While we acknowledge the highest levels of assurances provided by HH Amir of Qatar and the FIFA President that LGBTI+ fans will be safely welcomed in Qatar, we hope that this openness can continue beyond the tournament.”
The main objective of the exercise involving the Socceroos was an ‘opportunity to raise awareness of some important issues and help bring about change globally and nationally’.
Other nations playing in the World Cup are expected to make their own statements on the Qatar pitch.
Denmark, with whom Australia plays in Group D, will wear solid color ‘protest’ shirts and have minimized any pre-tournament commercial activity or travel promoting Qatar.
England footballers will wear ‘One Love’ bracelets, a protest against the ban on same-sex relationships in Qatar.