There are some things that the World Cup in Qatar doesn’t have. Beer for the “normal” visitors, for example, who don’t sit in the luxury boxes. Above all, of course, no rights for LGBTQ people, no rights for foreign workers in slave-like employment and no equal rights for women. However, what seems to be available en masse: money. This was already evident at the opening ceremony.
And she had a surprising guest: actor Morgan Freeman, 85. The Hollywood star played Nelson Mandela in the 2009 film “Invictus”, as well as in “Miss Daisy and her Chauffeur”, “Bruce Almighty” or “The Condemned”. . He’s an Oscar winner. In addition, he was previously regarded as a man with clear values who was committed to social issues. And now he’s standing on the stage of the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor, at the World Cup that has already been criticized as the “World Cup of shame”? A lot of people found that amazing.
Also because other superstars had previously announced for the ceremony – despite temptingly high fees. Pop star Rod Stewart, for example, preferred to stay at home despite the prospect of one million euros, as did singers Dua Lipa and Shakira. They had all made their waiver of participation public. But Morgan Freeman came anyway. He led through the opening, did so with dignity and probably with good intentions – the 85-year-old spoke on the big stage with a severely disabled World Cup ambassador. But an aftertaste remains.
Many people on social networks saw it that way, who were disappointed with Freeman’s appearance. “Morgan Freeman always stood for the good for me. What a hypocrite,” writes a Twitter user. “Prostitution at a high level”, even another. “Morgan Freeman is a legend. I love his films, his performances, his performances, his versatility. Why is he destroying his image today? It’s so incredibly unnecessary,” someone said bitterly.
So far, there has been no statement from Freeman about the criticism. And, as was also found on the Internet: Anyone who criticizes the Oscar winner for his performance must have watched the World Cup opening himself or at least somehow followed it. And so many of those who scold will probably first have to question themselves as to whether they themselves follow the strict rules that they impose on others.
Sources: Twitter, “Focus”
