Bundesliga fans stage protest against upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar

This is one of the most controversial tournaments in football history

The start of the 2022 Qatar World Cup is just a few weeks away. Excitement and enthusiasm are at an all-time high. But all the excitement in the world can't hide away all the controversies surrounding the Qatar World Cup.

World Cups are arguably the biggest sporting events in the world and the epitome of world football. However, the biggest football competition this time has come under scrutiny and criticism. Controversies have been surrounding the event since Qatar won the bid for the event in 2010.

Human rights groups have incessantly complained about the treatment of foreign workers in Qatar. Also about the shocking number of labourers who have allegedly died there since the country won their World Cup bid back in 2010. The number is believed to be in the thousands.

Eight European teams have committed to their captains wearing heart-shaped armbands — in breach of FIFA rules — to support an anti-discrimination campaign. Also, the request by England, Wales, and six other European countries for their captains to wear “One Love” multicoloured armbands at the World Cup. In response to worries about Qatar’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies is not addressed in the letter. 

But FIFA has asked the nations to ‘focus on football rather than politics’ during the 2022 Qatar World Cup. But this was not the case in the German top flight today.

“15,000 deaths for 5,760 minutes of football - shame on you”

Bundesliga fans protested against the upcoming Qatar World Cup this afternoon in the Hertha Berlin, Bayern Munich & Borussia Dortmund games. The home stands were filled with banners against the Qatar World Cup. Home supporters at the Olympic Stadium for Hertha Berlin's match against Bayern Munich erected a banner which read “15,000 deaths for 5,760 minutes of football - shame on you”. Bayern fans showed a similar message in the away end.  

While a huge sign read  'Boycott Qatar 2022' was placed in the home end at Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund's home ground).

In response to all the criticism, Qatari officials responded with the following statement: 'Qatar is committed to a fair and effective labour system, and we value the indispensable role of foreign workers in our economy and wider society.'