Watford FC bans Qatar friendly due to fans' human rights concerns

Robert Besser
30 Jun 2022, 12:59 GMT+10

Watford F.C. has cancelled a friendly match against the Qatar national team due to the Gulf country's human rights record
Two supporters' groups--- Women of Watford (WOW) and Proud Hornets----had voiced concerns about Qatar's human rights record
Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state -- which is hosting the World Cup later this year -- while Human Rights Watch says Qatari laws discriminate against women and LGBT individuals

WATFORD, UK: Watford F.C. has cancelled a friendly match against the Qatar national team due to the Gulf country's human rights record.

Two supporters' groups--- Women of Watford (WOW) and Proud Hornets----had voiced concerns about Qatar's human rights record, forcing Watford to cancel a friendly match against the Qatar national team.

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state -- which is hosting the World Cup later this year -- while Human Rights Watch says Qatari laws discriminate against women and LGBT individuals.

"The game was never finalized and it became abundantly clear this was a game not to play; as such, the schedule was revised," a club spokesperson said, in a statement to British media.

Meanwhile, Qatar's Football Association said it had received a number of offers from European clubs, including Watford, to play friendly matches.

"After studying the offers... we selected some friendly matches with various European teams, and Watford was not among these matches that the team will play," the Qatar Football Association said in a statement.

"WOW and Proud Hornets are delighted that Watford FC has listened to our concerns and cancelled the game with Qatar," the two groups said in a joint statement on Twitter.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Arab Herald.

More Information

33 ℃

Fair in Doha

Muslim

Section

Pakistan's diplomatic puzzle: Balancing national interests, Palestinian solidarity

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani stated on Saturday that Pakistan's decision to establish relations with Israel ...

Milad-un-Nabi: "Muslims in India enjoy freedom, equal rights and sense of security," say scholars

New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): On the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, which is celebrated as the birthday of Prophet ...

'Tiranga for PoK' campaign: Muslim National Forum to take out protest march in Delhi on Oct 1

New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has always been and will remain a part of India. Indian ...

Israel Says It Foiled Iranian Plot to Spy on Politicians

JERUSALEM - Israel arrested five Palestinians in a plot allegedly hatched in Iran to target and spy on senior Israeli ...

UN meeting presses Taliban for violating women's rights in Afghanistan

Kabul [Afghanistan], September 28 (ANI): As many as 11 countries have put pressure on the Taliban government for violating women's ...

President Droupadi Murmu extends greetings on Milad-un-Nabi

New Delhi [India], September 28 (ANI): President of India Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad Un ...

Middle East

Section