The 2022 FIFA World Cup begins in Qatar at the end of November, and the host country has already attracted a backlash due to its anti-LGBTQ+ laws, and treatment of LBGTQ+ people, women, and migrants. Despite the Supreme Committee saying: “The FIFA World Cup will be a tournament for everyone – much like previous editions of the tournament. Everyone will be welcome to Qatar in 2022, regardless of their race, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality,” there are still many concerns regarding the safety of LGBTQ+ fans, and LGBTQ+ Qataris.
In response to media asking for comments regarding the World Cup from Villa & Proud – the official LGBTQ+ supporter network for Aston Villa Football Club – the group has launched a survey, asking for feedback from their members.
“The men’s World Cup is an historic and highly anticipated global footballing event and this year it is different for a number of reasons. This tournament kicks off in Qatar in just a few weeks and we want to hear from our members, their thoughts and feelings on the tournament and the country in which it is being held,” explains Villa & Proud, in their November newsletter.
The survey can be completed anonymously if members wish, and it asks questions such as: ‘Thinking about how the location of this World Cup (Qatar) impacts you on a personal level, how do you feel about it?’; ‘What are your personal thoughts and feelings surrounding the World Cup?’; and ‘Moving onto more domestic influences, how do you feel the FA are performing in their support and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community?’.
To complete the survey, find the link in their latest newsletter or complete the Google Form here.
The results of Villa & Proud’s survey are due to be published in the December newsletter. A survey, conducted earlier in November by Public First for More in Common already found that 62% of British people believe that “Qatar’s stance on gay rights alone should have been enough to bar it from hosting,” reports The Guardian.
