2. There Will Likely Be Discrimination Against Fans (And Players)
Over recent months there has been a lot of concern over Russia's new laws opposing "the propagandising of non-traditional sexual relations among minors", essentially banning talking about homosexuality, in the light of the country's hosting of the upcoming Winter Olympics and the 2018 World Cup. If people are worried about gay fans making the trip to Russia, then that counts double for Qatar, a country where homosexuality remains illegal. The Gay Football Supporters' Network has complained that Blatter: "says that football is 'everything for everyone' but he has not yet explained just how FIFA is going to ensure that LGBT football players and supporters will be welcome in Qatar". For his part, Blatter, whose understanding of his organisation's remit to promote a tolerant and enlightened attitude is apparent in his statement that women footballers should "have tighter shorts", suggested gay fans "should refrain from sexual activity" during the tournament. It's not just fans, though. By 2022 it's very possible that there could be out gay players competing in the World Cup as well. US forward Robbie Rogers was the first internationally capped player to come out earlier this year, who's to say there won't be many more nine years from now? "Acts of sodomy" are punished in Qatar by a prison sentence of one to three years. Corporal punishment and flogging are also used. Amnesty International reported that during 2012 at least six foreign nationals were subjected to 40 or 100 lashes for: "offences related to alcohol consumption or illicit sexual relations". Yes, public displays of intimacy of all kinds are also illegal, as is public consumption of alcohol. Hardly conducive to the big international party that the World Cup typically represents.