Thomas Hitzlsperger no longer thinks it makes sense to boycott the World Cup in Qatar.
“The stadiums are in place, everything has been prepared and the damage, such as the fatalities in connection with the construction of the stadiums, can no longer be repaired,” said the 40-year-old former international in an interview with the “t-online.de” portal. . “We’re at a point where we have to continue addressing grievances and appealing that the way the World Cup came about isn’t going to work.”
According to Hitzlsperger, a boycott was no longer a constructive solution. “If everyone participated: ok. But if individuals pulled out, that would not be effective. That would not help the people who have suffered massive damage.”
on-site visit
Hitzlsperger had traveled to the Gulf State in connection with an ARD documentary for which he will be working as an expert at the World Cup. “I was in Doha for a total of five days and talked to people who live there. It was a short visit that gave me a good overview of what everyday life is like,” explained Hitzlsperger.
A private visit to the rich country, which has been heavily criticized for its handling of human rights, would not have been an option for the former Bundesliga professional and club official. But he wasn’t afraid, said Hitzlsperger.
After his professional career, he made his homosexuality public. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. “When we talk about the rights of homosexuals, for example, that two men are not allowed to show their affection in public, we must not ignore the fact that men and women are not allowed to do that either,” said Hitzlsperger.
Hitzlsperger expressed doubts about the effect of the new “One Love” captain’s armband. “The fact that Manuel Neuer has repeatedly worn the rainbow armband over the past few years is a great development. In my time that would have been unthinkable,” emphasized Hitzlsperger: “I do believe that this armband would have triggered a provocation in Qatar – and the one love napkin will not.”
