Shadow hangs over the cup of dreams

IT IS hard to get excited about the 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in a country where people like me face severe persecution. I wish I was more excited than I am. Yet, no matter how many times I see David Beckham being paraded around Qatar, I can’t forget what happens to queer people in the Middle East.

As someone who grew up in the Middle East for nine years, I believe it was a terrible mistake handing the rights to the 2022 cup to Qatar.

The World Cup, which kicked off on Monday, could have been something that distracted billions of people from the Covid-related misery of the past three years.

For many, it still will provide that element of sporting escapism.

Yet for me, as a queer person who wants to cheer his country on to victory, this year’s tournament leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

That is because I can’t forget that a World Cup ambassador said homosexuality was a “damage in the mind”.

As if to alienate queer fans further, FIFA president Gianni Infantino went into bat for Qatar at the weekend, criticising the West for its human rights abuses.

This bizarre “whataboutism’’ Infantino used to deflect criticism from the host nation does not change the fact Qatar is rife with human rights abuses that cannot be ignored. I worry what will happen to queer players, team staff and supporters in Qatar.

Growing up in that region, I know there are always stories of what happens to some queer people.

Those stories haunted me growing up, and still the mental scars linger to this day mainly in the form of PTSD.

I think of my queer friends who have to hide their true selves from loved ones for fear of persecution.

I think of the stories I heard growing up of young queer people like me being forced to attend conversion therapy. I remember feeling horrified at what allegedly took place at those sessions.

The aim of growing the love for soccer around the world by sending the World Cup to regions that have never held it is a noble idea.

But this shouldn’t come at the cost of human rights.

For many, they’ll be able to forget about their troubles and support their nation over the next few weeks.

But I fear that for queer soccer fans, we won’t be granted that same opportunity.

Soccer is a sport that captivates hearts around the world.

It doesn’t matter your background, sexuality, religion, race, sex or gender identity. Or, at least on paper, it shouldn’t. Yet at this World Cup, I worry it might.