The World Cup in Qatar is a debacle, and there is broad agreement on that. Now, just before kick-off, the media are addressing the final question: are we allowed to watch this World Cup at all?
“You can watch the World Cup, but with a bad feeling.” Philosopher Barbara Bleisch. Pictured: The Lusail National Stadium in Qatar.
The football World Cup in Qatar was not a good idea, and the media have thoroughly worked that out in recent years. There is also a broad consensus that the world football association Fifa, based in Zurich, is a dubious organization. A few days before the start of the World Cup, many journalists are therefore dedicating themselves to a more refined question: are you allowed to watch this World Cup or not?
The question is raised on talk shows and in sensitive articles by football-loving journalists. Almost a new type of text has emerged: the Qatar article, which deals with scruples, morality and the famous two souls in one breast. And who is looking for a decision in desperation. You love football, but don’t want to support the homophobic desert and slave driver state. How does that go together?
It is impossible! – At least for some journalists. They are committed to a strict boycott. Others practice self-appeasement: they believe that the critical reporting at least brings to light the injustices in Qatar, and they turn on the television.
«Responsible citizens renounce»
However, many journalists also turn to experts for help with their texts. “Responsible citizens should consume responsibly and sustainably and therefore refrain from consuming the World Cup,” preaches the St. Gallen business ethicist Thomas Beschorner on “20 minutes”. Barbara Bleisch, the philosopher of Swiss television, is a little more open in the Tamedia newspapers: “You can watch the World Cup, but with a bad feeling.”
The times when you could still drink beer in front of the television and blow your vuvuzela in front of the TV seem to be over. Whatever the choice, some joylessness and guilt are expected. In an SWR survey, 81 percent said they would boycott the World Cup. Many cities in Europe have decided against public viewing, including Zurich. Sports bars say they won’t show the games. The Danish team swoops into black jerseys.
A cynical money machine
In Qatar, a lot comes together: There are legitimate doubts as to whether the World Cup award went back and forth with the right things. For FIFA, an envelope does not seem to be primarily an envelope, but a container for banknotes. Qatar is not interested in human rights, women are oppressed, homosexuals are persecuted. Many people died during the construction of the World Cup stadiums, guest workers who worked under the most adverse conditions – it doesn’t help that Franz Beckenbauer reports that he “saw no slaves” in Qatar.
With these games, Fifa confirms its image as a cynical money machine that is shameless enough to present itself again and again as a progressive model institution – for diversity, tolerance, against racism. Not everyone seems to have internalized the motto yet. According to Qatar’s World Cup ambassador, homosexuals have “mental damage”. To call Fifa hypocritical would be an insult to all hypocrites.
A festival for internationalists
The statements of those who allegedly can only watch the World Cup with feelings of guilt or not at all seem somewhat hypocritical. Qatar has already hosted many sporting events: international tennis tournaments, the World Athletics Championships, Formula 1 races. Swiss Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer flew to Qatar twice in a short space of time to arrange oil and gas deals. If one considers the public calm in the face of these events, one is a little surprised at the pangs of conscience that are suddenly spreading.
The outrage about the World Cup in Qatar seems to be greatest among left-wing internationalists. The Fifa tournament would have to come closest to their ideals. Nations as diverse as Germany, Canada, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Iran come together in Qatar for a football festival. Shouldn’t all friends of the people turn on the television all the more?
Anyone who thinks they can’t watch the World Cup this year for reasons of conscience would have to boycott a lot more. Chinese products, for example, so as not to support the persecution of the Uyghurs. Or the Champions League, in which Qatar is also involved. Or one would have to ask oneself critically how one could watch the World Cup in Russia after Putin’s annexation of Crimea. The current pangs of guilty conscience are so selective that they can hardly be taken seriously.