Socceroos legend Tim Cahill believes he can instil change from within in his highly scrutinised role as an official ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Cahill was named alongside football legends Samuel Eto'o, Xavi and Cafu as a member of the "Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy", but received widespread criticism for accepting the role, given the controversy surrounding Qatar being awarded the hosting rights for the tournament over Australia.
But as the tournament nears, disappointment over Australia's failed bid has given way to outrage over the country's association with a number of human rights issues, namely the reported exploitation of workers and its stance toward homosexuality.
Fronting criticism over his new role, Cahill said it would be silly to ignore the elephant in the room but said he could do more for change by working with the nation.
"Our obligation as ambassadors, we work on inclusivity, sexuality, disabilities, and our main aim is to deal with these issues," Cahill told TODAY.
"It's just a bigger picture, but I feel I have a major influence and big impact on the world stage. This is something I can get my teeth into.
"I think you have to face the questions, and I'm definitely not going to be ignorant to the things that have gone on but I'm part of now making things better.
"To have this influence, for me, is important. We just had gay couples come there and experience it (on a tour). The homosexuality issue is a big, big thing because we have to address this and we have to change it.
"We ask these questions now … and overall I feel there is a lot of good that can be done. And my job is to try and make sure I can implement these educational programs, these conferences around the world that I can play my part to try and change a perception of what people actually think.
"I'm retired I'm 40-years-old, I'm not a kid, and I need to make sure the decisions are right. Overall, I feel like we're doing a lot of great things, but at the same time, I love football, it's the biggest show on earth."
In September, the chief executive of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Nasser al-Khater said that "any fan, of any gender, (sexual) orientation, religion, race (should) rest assured that Qatar is one of the most safe countries in the world – and they'll all be welcome here.
"We are not putting any restrictions on any nationality or anybody with respect to their gender, race, orientation, religion to attend this World Cup."
https://twitter.com/Tim_Cahill/status/1232782528085286912However he stressed that "public displays of affection are frowned upon, it's not part of our culture – but that goes across the board to everybody."
Late last year, the founder of Liverpool's LGBT supporters' club 'Kop Outs' undertook a fact-finding mission to Doha along with his husband in at the invitation of the World Cup organisers.
"I'm very satisfied that their approach is to provide an 'everyone is welcome' ethos that does include respect, albeit through privacy," Paul Amann said at the time.
"I'm not sure if rainbow flags generally will ever be accepted 'in-country', but maybe in stadia."
Amman said he felt "paranoia is not needed as people will not pry into your personal business."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/football/tim-cahill-fronts-criticism-over-qatar-world-cup-2022-ambassador-role/d6b46965-154d-4bd7-b5a0-3a1b068feb92
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