RISHI Sunak currently has no plans to go to Qatar for the World Cup next month, Downing Street confirmed today.
The PM – who is a massive fan of Southampton FC – is likely to cheer on the Three Lions from home instead.
The news comes as The Sun today revealed that Prince William also won’t be travelling to watch England play, amid a growing row over Qatar’s human rights record.
Sources close to the Prince William blamed a busy diary during the World Cup, with England’s first game on November 21 against Iran.
The hosts have been dogged by protests over poor conditions for stadium workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
Friends of the Prince say a trip to the final if Gareth Southgate’s team get there on December 18 is unlikely and would likely only be part of a government delegation.
LGBT rights activists hailed his decision to stay away from Qatar.
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This week Foreign Secretary James Cleverly sparked uproar after he refused to condemn the gulf state’s anti-gay laws.
Mr Cleverly was slammed for being “tone deaf” and “shameful” in his defence of the host nation’s dodgy rights record.
After saying he had spoken to the Qatari authorities in the past about gay football fans, he told LBC: “One of the things I would say for football fans is, you know, please do be respectful of the host nation.
“They are trying to ensure that people can be themselves and enjoy the football, and I think with a little bit of flex and compromise at both ends, it can be a safe, secure and exciting World Cup.”
It comes after veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell was stopped by officials after staging the first LGBT protest in the country, to highlight its human rights abuses in the run-up to World Cup.
The veteran campaigner slammed Mr Cleverley, saying: “I think it’s absolutely shameful that the Foreign Secretary wants us to respect that regime and he’s focusing on getting the fans to respect the regime, not on the regime protecting human rights abuses against LGBT plus people, particularly against women and migrant workers.”
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Yesterday Australia became the first World Cup team to criticise Qatar’s human rights record.
A group of 16 Socceroos stars, including former Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Ryan, came together to release a moving statement.
In a video posted to the Australia national team’s social media pages, stars gave their support to migrant workers, as well as those in the LGBTQI+ community.
Ex-Celtic and Hull midfielder Jackson Irvine said: “We have learned that the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has resulted in the suffering and harm of countless of our fellow workers.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
