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United States soccer fans are still split over whether the men's team should boycott the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, just weeks before the start of the tournament.
There has been much controversy since the Gulf state was awarded the tournament by soccer's world governing body, FIFA, with the treatment of workers building the stadia and the country's views on gay rights causing consternation and much soul searching.
Many fans have voiced their concerns about the tournament and a new survey has shown that there is still a split about whether the U.S. should compete or stay at home.
The survey of 1,500 people in the United States, conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies on behalf of Newsweek, showed that LGBTQ+ rights and the human rights of workers are the main concerns ahead of the tournament's kick-off on November 20.
Of those surveyed, 26 percent believed the U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) should boycott the World Cup over Qatar's treatment of LGBT people, 40 percent did not think the team should boycott the tournament and 33 percent said they did not know.
On the issue of labor, support for a boycott was higher, with 40 percent thinking the team should boycott the World Cup over the use of "slave labor" to build stadia, 30 percent saying the team shouldn't and 30 percent saying they did not know.
There has been much chatter on social media about the situation and a couple of Twitter users expressed the views of many.
One tweeted: "Everyone should boycott the World Cup. I will not even watch it on TV, it's a joke how they got to host it…if we all decide not to bother with it there would be no money for them so just boycott it [for the] sake of humanity."
Another said: "Since the United States and others [diplomatically boycotted the Beijing Olympics] over human rights that must mean they'll boycott the Qatar World Cup. Unless of course [boycotts have] more to do with politics than concern for human rights."
FairSquare, which produces specialist research to help prevent human rights abuse, told Newsweek that workers in Qatar were subjected to "serious exploitation" and "brutally harsh conditions" when building the stadia for the World Cup.
A spokesperson for FairSquare said: "The huge construction program that has made it possible for Qatar to host this tournament entailed the recruitment of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from South Asia and beyond.
"They were working in brutally harsh conditions, with serious exploitation rife—what reforms the government has made came too late for most of these workers.
"While every fan will make their own decision on how to engage with the tournament, one thing they can reflect on is the fact that FIFA gave no thought whatsoever to human rights during the selection process.
"That is part of the reason we are asking FIFA to set up a compensation fund for lives and livelihoods lost in connection with the tournament."
Amnesty International has also condemned FIFA for "sweeping under the carpet" the human rights concerns that have been raised.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty's head of economic and social justice, said in a statement shared with Newsweek: "If Gianni Infantino wants the world to 'focus on the football' there is a simple solution: FIFA could finally start tackling the serious human rights issues rather than brushing them under the carpet," he said.
"A first step would be publicly committing to the establishment of a fund to compensate migrant workers before the tournament kicks off and ensuring that LGBT people do not face discrimination or harassment. It is astonishing they still have not done so."
With the rights of gay people in Qatar being another issue, Liz Ward, director of programmes at Stonewall, previously told Newsweek that she feared for LGBTQ+ people who traveled to the country, despite assurances.
She said: "As we approach the 2022 Men's World Cup, we must remember that Qatar is a country where LGBTQ+ people are persecuted simply for being themselves. Sadly, this year's tournament is not safe for everyone."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino issued a statement which said that there will not be issues for anyone attending the World Cup: "Everyone will be welcome to the tournament, regardless of their origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality."
Soccer's governing body also stated: "FIFA is confident that all necessary measures will be in place for LGBTIQ+ fans and allies to enjoy the tournament in a welcoming and safe environment, just as for everyone else.
"FIFA's position on inclusivity is unequivocal—discrimination of any kind on account of sexual orientation is strictly prohibited.
"Qatar as a host country is fully committed to ensuring that everyone will be able to enjoy the tournament in a safe and welcoming environment, including members of the LGBTIQ+ community."
Redfield & Wilton Strategies is a member of the British Polling Council and the American Association of Public Opinion Research and abides by both organizations' rules.
