The issue of the boycott of the next World Cup, organized in Qatar, has permeated the debates in recent weeks. This Thursday, at the “Demain le Sport” festival, the former President of the Republic François Hollande gave his opinion on the subject. “About the current situation, where there was information about what the site represented then about breaches of climate regulations, there is this boycott movement. But I can’t ask the players not to go to the competition for which they have been preparing for years. the position that says ”do not go” seems unsustainable to me. Looking at the position to tell viewers ”Do not look”, fortunately no one is behind a spectator to know what to do or not to do. Finally, given the conditions of what we know about the conditions of this competition, the weather and the construction, if I were Head of State, but I am not anymore, so my position is easy, I would not go to Qatar. »
“For a PSG player, talking about Qatar is not necessarily easy”
François Hollande, former President of the Republic
However, François Hollande recalled that the protest movement had been smaller when the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in December 2010: “At that time it had not created any controversy in particular, except at the climatological level. There was no protest movement. and france (then chaired by Nicolas Sarkozy) He did not remain indifferent to Qatar’s choice at the time, particularly in relation to PSG’s takeover. »
The former President of the Republic also mentioned the delicate position of the Parisian players in their ability to express themselves on the subject: “For a PSG player, talking about Qatar is not necessarily easy compared to his employer. I can admit that… The players have already committed to racism, the climate issue… Maybe some will express themselves at the moment of the World Cup”. but it is not convenient either, they are expected first to ensure their mission of winning the competition. But I think the coaches and agents who sometimes pressure players to shut up don’t understand how important that is, given the influence these players have… Being sporty isn’t just playing with a ball or running fast. , is also having a social role. »