Two Dundee pubs are ditching screening World Cup football matches over Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.
Landlords of city centre bars The Pillars and Salty Dog will both boycott the upcoming tournament due to the decision to behaviour of the host country’s leaders.
Ross McGillivray, who manages popular Crichton Street gay bar the Salty Dog, says he will not be tuning in due to the country’s laws against same-sex marriages, among other reasons.
It comes just days after Qatar World Cup ambassador, Khalid Salman described homosexuality as “damage in the mind” during a television interview.
Ross, 55, said comments like this from a senior figure illustrate the tournament was “doomed” before a ball had been kicked, ahead of the opening ceremony on Sunday.
He was backed by John Justice, who manages the Pillars Bar on the same street.
‘We’re inclusive premises’ say Dundee landlords
Ross said: “Both me and John agreed this was the right decision to take for our premises.
“It certainly wasn’t a difficult decision.
“Comments like that made by a senior ambassador for the tournament illustrate it was doomed from the start.”
“We previously got really involved in tournaments, getting the flags decked out but we just couldn’t for this.
“We’re inclusive venues, everyone has always been welcome and we felt a tournament like the World Cup instilled that as well.
“This tournament isn’t showcasing that, we’re reading reports about fears for the safety of LGBTQ people, it’s scary.”
John said the decision not to screen the games may see some patrons opting to go elsewhere.
He said: “Reading more about the treatment of migrant workers and the country’s stance on homosexuality made this an easy decision.
“We don’t have Sky so we usually enjoy having a chance to the screen these major tournaments.
“After making the announcement online we’ve seen a lot of positive comments that our premises have taken this decision.
“It may well be the case that customers opt to go elsewhere to watch the football, which is fine.
“Maybe others will see it as a blessing that no football is on.
“We’re certainly not expecting other premises to take the same stance, everyone has a right to take their own view on it.”
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