The joint-statement, released just hours before England’s game opening 2022 World Cup group game against Iran was due to kick-off, cited the threat of disciplinary action from world football governing body FIFA as the reason for the decision.
Mustafa Qadri spoke so well, but one major point was missed here. The real problem goes deeper than Qatar. But nobody wants to talk about it. The real problem, at least regarding the LGBTQ+ community, lies in Islam itself and Islam's understanding and take on being gay. The Muslim world has a huge problem with homosexuality. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, gays are put to death. Qatar is no different. The buildings are marvellous and modern, and the country is high-tech and all that; but the mindset is mediæval. That is where the problem lies. – © Mark Alexander