Boycott calls, anger banners
Thunderous Qatar protest of the German fan scenes
11/06/2022, 10:12 am
In two weeks, the first kick-off of the soccer World Cup will take place. The tournament in Germany has long been a PR disaster for host Qatar. The fan scenes of the Bundesliga soccer leagues make that unmistakably clear this weekend.
Where else bitterly one another – or together about a third party from a certain club, but that’s another topic – there was a picture of unity in the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga: in the fan curves of the stadiums. “Boycott Qatar” could be read on large banners, the protest against the host of the soccer World Cup, which starts in two weeks, is more than clear.
In the Berlin Olympic Stadium, this exclamation was orchestrated particularly strongly during the game between Hertha BSC and FC Bayern. Before the start of the game, the banner that had been agreed for this match day with “Boycott Qatar” hung on the back straight of the stadium. But then it went even further: “Dehre east curve, anyone arguments for a World Cup in Qatar?” asked the Munich supporters in the direction of the Hertha fans. They responded impressively with many banners denouncing the failures of the desert state. “Air-conditioned stadiums instead of climate protection”, “disrespect for human rights” and “support for sports washing” could be read there. The choreography went even further: Both fan curves ultimately unveiled banners with the inscription “15,000 dead for 5760 minutes of football. Shame on you!”.
The Dortmunder Süd was also paved with clear criticism of the World Cup organizers and the demand “Turn off Qatar!”, including a TV test image, which according to the fan scene was not coordinated with the campaign in Berlin. The boycott calls ran through the stadiums of the republic. Whether Borussia Mönchengladbach or Fortuna Düsseldorf, the unity of the curves was great.
“TV boycott does nothing at all”
The “Boycott Qatar 2022” initiative called on all football fans to demonstrate. “This tournament is a project unworthy of football. The autocratic regime in Qatar and the corrupt, profit-oriented approach of FIFA violate almost all of the precepts of sporting and political fairness,” says a statement on the initiative’s website, which is supported by several fan organizations is supported. The overwhelming majority of football fans reject the World Cup. “On the last two matchdays before the opening of the tournament, this should be clearly visible again.”
Politicians have criticized the boycott demands. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who was persuaded during a visit by the Emir of Qatar to come back during the World Cup, told “Welt am Sonntag”: “A television boycott has absolutely no effect.” Sports economist Wolfgang Maennig from the University of Hamburg shares this opinion. He explained to the editorial network Germany that the announced television boycott of restaurateurs would not have a measurable impact on ratings. “A boycott of the World Cup in Qatar would no longer have any significant effect,” he continued, explaining that the sponsorship contracts had long been concluded and were therefore hardly affected by a boycott.
Before the World Cup from November 20 to December 18, Qatar has long been criticized for human rights violations and the treatment of workers from other countries. Fatal accidents have also occurred on construction sites in the past. The government of the emirate refers to its own reforms. The desert state cannot understand much of the criticism.