When will the virtue-signalling football world speak out on Qatar?

The world of football fell silent yesterday after being urged to crack down on the persecution of gays and mistreatment of women in Qatar ahead of the World Cup.

The inclusive face of football – and the desire of its role models to be heard – was embodied by England captain Harry Kane, who wore a rainbow armband and took his knee during Euro 2020 at Wembley in June.

But a number of influential figures, so often interested in polishing up their credentials by kneeling down to fight racism or campaigning against homophobia, didn’t say a word when asked to speak out against the brutal nation of the Middle East or boycott the tournament.

BBC Director General Tim Davie and ITV boss Carolyn McCall, the bosses of the UK’s largest broadcasters who have the rights to broadcast games, were also silent.

The inclusive face of football – and the desire of its role models to be heard – was embodied by England captain Harry Kane, who wore a rainbow armband and went down on his knees during Euro 2020 at Wembley in June

The football association said it believed that working with Qatar could bring further progress in the area of ​​human rights.

Gareth Southgate, who has been passionate about social issues as the England coach for five years, didn’t respond when asked if he would publicly criticize Qatar for its treatment of gays and women.

The choice of Qatar, with its pathetic human rights record, to host the soccer World Cup next year has created a dilemma between principle and profit for presenters, experts and broadcasters.

BBC presenter Gary Lineker has a £ 1.9 million per year contract that includes hosting World Cup tournament games. He wore a rainbow ribbon in support of gay rights at the 2017 World Cup draw in Moscow and was among the nominees for Football Ally of the Year at this year’s LGBT Awards. He didn’t want to say whether he wanted to criticize Qatar or boycott the event.

The football association said it believed that working with Qatar would make further progress in the area of ​​human rights

BBC presenter Gary Lineker has a £ 1.9 million per year contract that includes hosting World Cup tournament games

Gary Neville, who is expected to return as an ITV expert, also declined to comment. The former English defender traveled to Qatar last year for a Sky Sports documentary about the poor living conditions of migrant workers who build stadiums for the event and saw “sadness run through the body” at the locations.

Despite her public support for the Stonewall gay rights group’s Rainbow Laces initiative, Alex Scott – the former English women’s soccer star and a rising star on the BBC – didn’t respond when asked if she would travel to Qatar to see the tournament if requested by the corporation.

BBC sports presenter Gabby Logan said she had not yet been booked for a job in Qatar but did not want to comment on whether she would accept such an offer. Former Scottish international Graeme Souness, a popular ITV expert who has spoken publicly about his support for gay footballers, did not respond to a request that he would cover the event if requested.

David Beckham, who praised Qatar’s “great culture”, also declined to answer questions about a £ 10 million deal he signed this year to be the “face” of the World Cup or his thoughts to treat gays and women in the country.

The wall of silence comes as an investigation by The Mail on Sunday reveals today how gay men in Qatar live in near-constant fear. Several bravely report of their ordeal, how the police arrest people on the street because they only suspect that they could be gay and how the prisoners shave the heads.

Gary Neville, who is expected to return as an ITV expert, also declined to comment. Gareth Southgate, who has been passionate about social issues as the England coach for five years, didn’t respond when asked if he would publicly criticize Qatar for its treatment of gays and women

Women are discriminated against by a male guardianship system that forces them to seek permission to marry, study, or travel.

Last night, campaign groups called on influential football and radio voices to speak up – and consider boycotting the event. LGBT + and human rights activist Peter Tatchell said: “Football has to make a decision whether to go to Qatar and collapse with a tyrannical, homophobic regime. The same applies to TV commentators and broadcasters. Scoring goals is great, but not at the expense of human rights. ”

Joan Smith, former mayor of London’s Violence Against Women and Girls Board, said: “Football has a huge ethical problem when it comes to countries like Qatar that mistreat women. When you go there for an event like the World Cup, you strengthen their system. If you take money from their government, you are complicit in treating women horribly. ‘

Homophobia and sexism in Qatar conflict with the diversity and equality policies of the BBC and ITV, but would not condemn the state or its discriminatory laws. ITV said, “The 2022 World Cup is a global event that has been covered by the world’s media, including ITV.”

An FA spokesman and chairman of the board, Mark Bullingham, said: “We are in regular dialogue with Amnesty International, Fifa, other affiliates and the Federal Foreign Office, and work closely with all of them to ensure that when we qualify, we address our participation. ” in a socially responsible way.

“The best way to achieve change is by working collaboratively so we can keep asking the right questions while realizing that we have our own challenges in this country.”