Compiled by: Sahar Yaghoubi
In a show of disapproval for the hosting of the FIFA World Cup by Qatar, public screenings of games have been canceled in Paris, the latest European city to do so. Several European football federations are also considering alternatives to a total boycott in order to voice their displeasure with the tournament being staged in Qatar. Several other French towns have declared similar moves.
This decision was announced by Pierre Rabadan, the Paris deputy mayor in charge of sports, who cited “the circumstances of the organization of this World Cup, both on the environmental and social level” as the reason for not allowing public screenings of matches.
Rabadan said, “air-conditioned stadiums and the circumstances under which these facilities have been developed have to be questioned.” But he made it clear that the decision wasn’t a rejection of the tournament per se; rather, it was a rejection of Qatar’s approach to hosting large events, which “goes against what Paris wishes to arrange.” The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France.
Rabadan put an end to rumors that tensions existed between the municipal government and the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, which is owned by Qatar. “We have extremely beneficial ties with the club and its entourage, although that does not preclude us from saying when we disagree,” he said.
Strasbourg has canceled public screenings of matches throughout the tournament due to claims of human rights violations and the exploitation of migrant workers in Qatar. The government in Doha has categorically refuted these claims.
Both Bordeaux and Lille have indicated that they would not be holding public screenings due to budget cuts; however, in the case of Bordeaux, a city in southwestern France, the reason given was the high cost of electricity. Public viewing stations installed in the winter, when energy expenses are at their highest, would be unaffordable to most people.
A number of European football federations have said that they would be protesting throughout the tournament despite their participation. For example, Denmark has muted the national team’s jersey emblem and other teams are considering armbands as a form of protest against bias.
