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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Stephen Temlett

Dumfries DJ Calvin Harris urged to pull the plug on Qatar World Cup fan fest gig

Dumfries DJ Calvin Harris is being urged to pull the plug on his set at the World Cup’s fan fest in Qatar.

The world famous musicians is the headline act at Al Bidda Park in Doha on December 10 but gay rights campaigners are calling on him to think again.

The World Cup has been mired in controversy due to the Gulf States’ human rights record, the deaths of migrant workers building the stadiums and LGBT rights.

Homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and punishable by up to three years imprisonment and a fine.

Veteran gay rights ­campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “I’m a huge Calvin Harris fan so I feel incredibly ­disappointed that he’s performing in a ­country where women, LGBT+ ­people and migrant workers are treated as second-class citizens. It’s a slap in the face to Qataris who suffer repression at the hands of the regime.

“I urge Harris and other stars to search their conscience, pull out from the Qatar deal and speak up for human rights.”

A host of celebrities have come under fire for agreeing to perform at the tournament or be an ambassador for it.

Sir Rod Stewart revealed last week he knocked back $1million (£840,000) to ­perform in Qatar because of its human rights record.

The Supreme Committee for ­Delivery & Legacy (SC), which is responsible for organising Qatar’s World Cup, declined to say how much Harris would be paid for the event. But the Dumfries DJ can command up to £1 million to play a set in Las Vegas.

Representatives for Harris did not respond to requests for comment.

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