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‘That’s bulls***’ – Ex-Man Utd manager Louis van Gaal slams ‘ridiculous’ decision to host World Cup 2022 in Qatar
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FORMER Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has slammed the ‘ridiculous’ decision to host this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
And he has labelled Fifa’s explanation to develop football in the Middle Eastern country as "bulls***", claiming Fifa chiefs are only in it for the money.
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Human rights groups - and some players - have been protesting the decision to host the 2022 World Cup in Qatar following claims of worker mistreatment.
Thousands of migrant workers have reportedly died working on construction sites including stadiums, roads and an airport.
Homosexuality is also illegal in Qatar, while there are also big concerns over women’s rights.
And Holland manager Van Gaal insists he does not agree with Qatar playing host later this year.
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The Dutchman said: “Everyone knows that I think it’s ridiculous that the World Cup is there.
“That we are going to play in a country to allow football to develop there?
“That’s bulls***. It is about money and commercial interests. That matters in Fifa.
“Why do you think I’m not on a committee with my expertise? I’ve always opposed those kinds of organisations.
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“It is not right. I can say that in Qatar, but that [my opposition] doesn’t help the world get rid of this problem.”
Meanwhile, England boss Gareth Southgate admits he is concerned about LGBT fans who fear travelling to Qatar.
He said: “I found the human rights issues quite overwhelming to piece together.
“But I think I’m quite clear on the areas of concern about this tournament.
“The building of the stadiums was the first and there’s nothing we can do about that now.
“There are obviously ongoing concerns about the rights of workers and the conditions they live in.
“It seems universally accepted that’s better than it was but not in the position where people think it could be and that maybe policies that have been put in place are not always enforced as they might be.
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“Then there are the issues that potentially threaten our fans when they travel: the rights of women and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in particular.
“Sadly, through discussions that I’ve had, I don’t think some of those communities are going to go and that’s a great shame.”
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