Qatar hosting the World Cup is like hosting the tournament in the Middle Ages, journalist Ian O’Doherty has said. 

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf State and all women have male guardians who control fundamental aspects of their lives .

Meanwhile, migrant workers labour in perilous conditions and an estimated 6,500 people perished while building Qatar’s World Cup stadium.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast Mr O’Doherty said he refuses to have anything to do with the tournament.

“I love the World Cup, I love the World Cup more than anything else - it is always the highlight of the four-year period for me,” he said. 

“I don’t know who is playing on Sunday; I don’t care. I won’t be watching any of it. 

“FIFA, they didn’t just give the World Cup to the Middle East, they gave the World Cup to the Middle Ages when they gave it to Qatar. 

“Qatar is a disgraceful slave nation.” 

Filipino migrant workers at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar in March 2016. Picture by: Joerg Boethling / Alamy Stock Photo

There is a long history of boycotts in sport, with fans trying to exert pressure on countries to bring about political change. 

The United States boycotted the Moscow Olympics in 1980 after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and for many years, there was a sporting boycott of South Africa in protest against the system of apartheid. 

For Mr O’Doherty, this is an example that others should bear in mind. 

“There’s no difference between having anything to do with the World Cup in Qatar or having something to do with South Africa during apartheid years,” he said.  

G70M7X Anti-Apartheid protestors with placards outside the South African Embassy.

He added that he does not blame players or journalists heading to Qatar to work but hit out at those, such as David Beckham and Gary Neville, who are taking large fees to promote it.  

“We just seem to have lost all sense of moral principle when it comes to this particular World Cup,” he said. 

The World Cup begins on Sunday when Qatar play Ecuador; the final will be held on 18th December.

Main image: A football match with fans and a banner reading "Boycott Qatar 2022"  Picture by: /dpa/Alamy Live News