The World Cup starts in just under three weeks. But football euphoria does not occur in this country. The unjust state of Qatar as a location depresses the mood of many football fans.
“With Qatar, a country is wallowing in the splendor of games without football culture, it is far too hot for players and spectators and got the contract due to corruption,” said SP country councilor and top sports parliamentarian. Matthias Aebischer (55, BE) in a Blick interview. “In addition, there is the intolerable human rights situation.” So the expectation is limited.
Maurer travels to Qatar
Not so with SVP Finance Minister Ueli Maurer (71). According to the “Aargauer Zeitung”, the former sports minister will watch the Switzerland-Brazil match in Qatar on November 28. Probably the only federal councilor, as the “Tages-Anzeiger” writes. Maurer is planning a work trip to the Middle East at the end of November anyway, so he is adding a trip to Qatar.
According to the Federal Chancellery, there are currently no plans to participate other than Maurer. This can change if necessary and also depends on the respective agendas of the department heads.
Minister of Sport stays at home
Sports Minister Viola Amherd (60) is certainly not going to the World Cup, her department says. She will support the Swiss team from home. The DDPS has not provided any information on the reasons for Amherd’s absence.
Whether or not another member of the Federal Council travels to the World Cup also depends on the performance of the Swiss national team. If she survives the group stage and even makes it to the quarter or semi-finals, there could be another World Cup trip of some sort. It is quite possible that Federal President Ignazio Cassis (61) will pay his respects to the games.
Boycott calls for human rights
The World Cup will be held from November 20 to December 18. Official representation of governments in Qatar is not without controversy. Non-governmental organizations accuse the emirate of failing to comply with minimum human rights requirements. The situation is particularly precarious among low-paid workers, who come mainly from Nepal, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines and who often work under slave-like conditions.
So there are also calls to boycott the World Cup. Not only on site, but also at home on television or with the audience. While SP national councilor Aebischer only follows the World Cup “with the handbrake on”, Berner SP national councilor Flavia Wasserfallen (43) immediately steps on the brake pedal.
“It’s about to start, the first World Cup I boycott,” she wrote on Twitter, referring to the human rights situation in Qatar. The dismissal is not easy for the player of FC Helvetia, the women’s team in the House of Representatives. As a big football fan, it is with a heavy heart that she participates in the World Cup boycott. “But it’s the only right thing.” (rus/SDA)