Paris won't hold big-screen World Cup broadcasts due to concerns about Qatar


Paris has become the latest French city to announce it will not broadcast the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on giant screens in fan zones after Lille, Marseille, Bordeaux, Strasbourg, and Reims. The boycott comes amid concerns of Qatar violating workers' rights and the environmental damage caused by the tournament in Qatar, and despite France being the defending champions, The Associated Press reports.
There has allegedly been a large number of deaths among foreign laborers in Qatar in setting up the World Cup, BBC News reports. Also, the country plans to have air-conditioned stadiums, which will require a tremendous amount of energy. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sports said that Qatar's event staging, "goes against what [Paris] wants to organize." Paris is set to host the Olympics in 2024.
Officials across the political spectrum in France have expressed criticism of Qatar. Martine Aubry, mayor of Lille, called the World Cup "nonsense in terms of human rights, the environment, and sport." However, the French Football Federation was criticized for being quiet about the situation, to which they responded that they were against the "campaign of stigmatization" of Qatar, arguing that they had instead implemented measures to check that workers' rights were being respected, reports The Guardian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Let's be honest, this World Cup makes no sense," said former French international and Manchester United player Eric Cantona, "It is an aberration." Cantona will be boycotting the World Cup.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
The countries around the world without jury trials
The Explainer Legal systems in much of continental Europe and Asia do not rely on randomly selected members of the public
-
How did the Wagner Group recruit young British men for arson attack?
Today's Big Question Russian operatives have been using encrypted messaging apps to groom saboteurs across Europe
-
The best graphic novels
The Week Recommends These inventive illustrated books will transport you to another world
-
Thunder beat Pacers to clinch NBA Finals
Speed Read Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals
-
MLB lifts ban on Pete Rose, other dead players
speed read 16 deceased players banned for gambling and other scandals can now be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey final
Speed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX
speed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess champion
Speed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up