Defiant pub boycotts World Cup over Qatar’s LGBTQ+ rights record

A pub has announced it will boycott the upcoming World Cup in Qatar due to concerns over the host country’s LGBTQ+ rights record.

The Liverpool Arms on Northgate Street, Chester, has said that it will not be showing any of the matches, due to the host nation’s “well-documented” approach.

The World Cup is set to begin in just over a week’s time with the host nation playing thier opening game againstb Ecuador. It is currently illegal to be gay in Qatar with a jail sentence of up to seven years. 

A statement issued by the Liverpool Arms pub said they were “deeply concerned” about the situation regarding LGBTQ+ rights in Qatar and had therefore decided not to promote the event, although they wished the England and Wales team well in the tournament, reports CheshireLive.

The full statement by the pub said: “After prolonged soul searching, The Liverpool Arms has decided it will not show any matches from the FIFA World Cup 2022 hosted by Qatar. As Chester’s LGBTQ+ bar, we are deeply concerned about the host nation’s lack of LGBTQ+ rights which are well documented.

“We will not promote this event. However, we wish England and Wales every success in the tournament.”

Liverpool Arms manager Sandra Tyrie, who is also a director at Chester Pride, said they were pleased with the support shown since they made the announcement.

“I think by doing this we are highlighting Qatar’s LGBTQ+ rights record for people who don’t know about it,” Sandra said. “As Chester’s LGBTQ+ bar I do think we have got to say something.

“The support we have had since we made the statement has been absolutely amazing. There have been no negative comments, only support.”

Their stance was supported by Chester Pride, with chair Warren Allmark posting on social media to say: “As Chester Pride, we fully support their decision. The Liverpool Arms is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and as they have highlighted Qatar has very poor treatment of LGBTQ+ people and poor human rights in general, to ‘welcome’ people of all backgrounds but suppress people is not welcoming people at all.

“We too wish the teams well but as a Pride charity will always call out the unfair treatment of LGBTQ+ people’s rights.”

The Foreign Office website gives a range of guidance for fans heading to Qatar to watch the World Cup, including a warning about homosexuality being illegal there. The advice reads: “Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar. Private life in Qatar is largely respected but any intimacy between persons in public can be considered offensive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or intent.

“Host authorities have stated that “everyone is welcome” at the World Cup. They have publicly confirmed that there will be no restrictions on non-married friends or couples (including LGBT people) staying in the same room.”