sport news Socceroos' efforts to slam Qatar abuses get boost; no gay Aussie fans travel to ... trends now
The efforts of Socceroos players to highlight the lack of rights for gay people in Qatar have received a huge boost, with the federal sports minister set to confront the oppressive regime on their draconian homosexuality laws.
Annika Wells, who recently chaired the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) meetings, will meet Graham Arnold's squad on Wednesday, a day after Australia's World Cup opener against France.
She had previously confirmed she will visit the Arab nation to hold talks with the Qatari government over LGBTI and migrant workers rights.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023 Women's World Cup, which is set to be held in Australia and New Zealand, earlier this month, Wells said it was important Australia didn't stay silent on the lack of basic human rights in Qatar.
Socceroos star Jackson Irvine, pictured with a rainbow gay pride captain's armband, has been very vocal on trying to raise awareness, and change, the lack of human rights in Qatar, like many of his teammates
'I'll be going to Qatar because it's important that we participate in these discussions. We can't be on the sidelines if you want to see change. You have to be in the room,' she said at the launch of the Women's World Cup draw in New Zealand.
'There is work to be done in Qatar.'
Wells, who is a lawyer by trade, also insisted, despite the opinions of some fans, that sport and politics DO mix, because in some cases - such as gay people in Qatar - people's lives are at stake.
Australia's federal sports minister Anika Wells talks at the draw ceremony for the 2023 Women's World Cup, where she declared she would go to Qatar to confront their government on a lack of human rights during the World Cup
Heavy hitters: Wells (left), pictured with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and CONCACAF president Victor Monstagliani at the draw ceremony
'Sport is more than big business. It’s a hugely powerful and influential social institution,' she said during her speech at the draw ceremony, hinting at her desire to confront the Qatari regime.
'I don’t see it as a failure that governments and the law need to be more involved in sport. I see it as a reflection of how important sport is to our lives, our economies, and our culture.'
Last month, several Socceroos, the players union and the governing body went public with their concerns over workers' rights and LGBT laws in the Arab nation.
As well as addressing the well-documented treatment of migrant workers, with up to 6500 dying during the building of World Cup infrastructure in Qatar, the Socceroos addressed the fact homosexuality is still criminalised in the country.
'As players, we fully support the rights of LGBTI+ people, but in Qatar people are not free to love the person they choose,' the video, released on Socceroos' social media pages in late October.
A statement from Football Australia also reaffirmed their desire for gay rights to improve not just while the globe is watching during the World Cup, but after the tournament.
'As the most multicultural, diverse, and inclusive sport in our country, we
