England’s John Barnes slams criticism of Qatar World Cup: Let’s kind ourselves earlier than we begin to preach

FIFA World Cup 2022: Former England worldwide John Barnes mentioned it is hypocritical of England to criticise discrimination in Qatar, including that discrimination can also be enshrined in British society and tradition.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022 14:29 IST

Photo for illustration (Reuters Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Former England worldwide John Barnes has slammed the critics of Qatar, saying that those that have questioned the Arab nation over its points haven’t acknowledged the progress when it comes to human rights within the FIFA World Cup 2022 host nation. Qatar had come beneath criticism for his or her remedy of migrant employees who have been key to the constructing of the infrastructure within the nation within the lead-up to the World Cup.

Human rights teams have voiced their considerations because it emerged that there was lack of lives as a result of poor remedy of migrant employees. On the opposite hand, Qatar has ever since made adjustments to its labour legal guidelines, dismantling a lot of its “kafala” sponsorship system, growing the minimal wage and establishing an insurance coverage fund to assist migrant employees.

John Barnes, in his column for The Times, questioned the detractors of the nation, who in keeping with him, have turned a blind eye to the progress.

“While there is still a long way to go, the situation is streets ahead of where they were ten years ago – with improvements in housing, facilities and wages,” Barnes wrote.

“It’s interesting to observe that some of those who are making a lot of noise now have had little to say about the development of Qatar over the previous 20 years.”

Furthermore, Barnes weighed in on European groups’ stance to put on ‘One Love’ armbands, protesting the illegality of homosexuality within the Arab nation. A gaggle of seven European groups have been threatened with sanctions by FIFA, which urged the groups to drop the thought. However, Germany gamers protested the FIFA ruling, posing with their mouths shout throughout the nationwide anthem of their opener in opposition to Japan.

DISCRIMINATION IN BRITISH SOCIETY

Barnes condemned Qatar’s stance on LGBT rights, however mentioned that guests to the nation wanted to respect their legal guidelines, including that boycotting the World Cup “would have a far greater impact” than carrying an armband.

“Qatar has invited ‘everyone’ to the World Cup, gay or straight, but demand ‘everyone’ be respectful of their ways, laws and culture…,” Barnes mentioned.

“The rainbow colours and One Love armband promote something that is illegal in Qatar, even if we think it shouldn’t be. Visitors to our country would not be allowed to promote something that’s illegal.”

Meanwhile, Barnes additionally referred to as the criticism of English individuals hypocritical, saying that the nation ought to kind its personal points earlier than going to evangelise others about equality and discrimination. Barnes, who had represented England 79 occasions between 1983 and 1995, identified on the remedy of Black communities in England.

“While discrimination is enshrined in Qatari law, discrimination is also enshrined in British society and culture,” Barnes mentioned.

“Lots of Black people are stopped, searched and detained just because they are Black. Let’s sort ourselves out before we start to lecture and preach to the rest of the world.” (With Reuters inputs)

Published On:

Nov 29, 2022