International media outlet BBC is coming under strong criticism for not boycotting the FIFA World Cup 2022 opening ceremony in Qatar Sunday.
The broadcaster is facing intense backlash from football fans around the world for not broadcasting the opening ceremony in favor of the criticism of Qatar. BBC instead broadcasted stories of alleged human rights violations in Qatar.
Former England Football captain Lineker called it the most controversial opening ceremony in world cup matches. “It’s the most controversial World Cup in history and a ball hasn’t even been kicked,” said Lineker in his remarks while commenting on the ongoing world cup match in Qatar.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended Qatar from the ongoing backlash from certain international media outlets.
“Europe should stop the criticism and focus on improving its migrants’ conditions. … What we Europeans have been doing for the last 3,000 years, we should be apologizing for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons,” he said on Saturday.
Outrageously disrespectful to Qatar that the BBC didn’t broadcast the World Cup opening ceremony, and instead put out more virtue-signalling guff about how awful it is. If they’re that appalled, they should bring home their vast army of employees & spare us this absurd hypocrisy.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 20, 2022
Piers Morgan, the popular TV host in the UK, criticized the UK for not airing the ceremony while many footballs fans home awaited to watch it. “Outrageously disrespectful to Qatar that the BBC didn’t broadcast the World Cup opening ceremony, and instead put out more virtue-signaling guff about how awful it is. If they’re that appalled, they should bring home their vast army of employees & spare us this absurd hypocrisy,” said Qatar.
Read more: US journalist wearing rainbow shirt stopped from entering World Cup stadium
BBC's decision not to show Soccer World Cup opening ceremony is a new low of media bias #FIFAWorldCup
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) November 21, 2022
The BBC has never boycotted a World Cup opening event until now, when it was hosted by the first Muslim Arab nation.
Shameful display by the British state mouthpiece.
Qatar should consider giving BBC the boot. 🥾💥#FIFAWorldCup #BBC #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/QGjc9i8EoX
— Robert Carter (@Bob_cart124) November 20, 2022
The BBC didn’t air Qatars World Cup opening ceremony in protest. Yet just 9 months ago, the BBC aired the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in China, a country literally accused of committing genocide. GTOH with your sanctimony. The epitome of hypocrisy and double standards! pic.twitter.com/zinn6tdhXC
— Ayman (@AymanM) November 21, 2022
BBC is being criticized for ignoring accusations against China and Russia previously. MSNBC host Ayman said, “The BBC didn’t air Qatar’s World Cup opening ceremony in protest. Yet just 9 months ago, the BBC aired the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in China, a country literally accused of committing genocide. GTOH with your sanctimony. The epitome of hypocrisy and double standards.”
Another journalist called the BBC a ‘shameful mouthpiece of state’.