Welsh sports presenter Beth Fisher says she doesn't even want to watch the World Cup because of Qatar's stance on homosexuality and LGBT+ rights.
Fisher, who regularly presents and reports for BBC Wales, believes the decision to host the tournament in the country is "a nightmare" for many people. The former Wales hockey player, who is openly gay and an ambassador for several LGBT+ groups, said LGBT+ journalists are "really torn" over the World Cup.
Speaking on The Media Show on BBC Radio 4, she said: "For all of us, there’s a huge, dark cloud over this tournament. Look at me in Wales - it’s the first time we’ve qualified in 64 years… to be honest I feel completely down about it. I should be up in the air celebrating. I wasted too many years in the closet lying to people to then be basically gaslighted by Fifa and others into thinking this World Cup is for everyone. It is absolutely not. I think it’s a huge slap in the face to the people in Qatar who are part of that [LGBT] community who risk their life by even coming out and being their authentic selves, and for me, that is an absolute travesty."
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She said that, had she still been working for ITV, there was a "big chance" she would have gone to the World Cup but she is actually glad it's no longer a decision she has to make. She added: "Quite frankly, the more I think about it the more I don’t even want to watch it.
"For me, as a huge sports fan, it’s heart-breaking. [With Wales in the tournament] it’s my worst nightmare. On one hand I’ve got 'proud Welsh woman' and on the other hand you’ve got this country [Qatar] which goes against every single value I have in my body. That, for me, goes back to Fifa and I’m so angry at them for making me have to feel like this in a sport which should be for everyone, no matter race, religion, gender, sexuality, whatever."
She added that, when visiting her sister who lived in Qatar for several years, she felt she had to be aware of her behaviours, what she tweeted, and even her private messages to her girlfriend.
Fisher isn't the only notable Welsh sporting figure to speak out about the World Cup. Wales' most-capped footballer Jess Fishlock, who is openly gay, said the tournament was "a difficult situation for a lot of people". The Cardiff native is headed to Qatar as part of BBC Wales' World Cup punditry team.
Fishlock, who narrowly missed out on World Cup qualification with Wales Women last month, told BBC Radio Wales that Qatar's "ways and beliefs" are "questionable around the world".
In reference to the comments made by former Qatar international Khalid Salman, who described homosexuality as a "damage in the mind," Fishlock said: "When you hear things like that, obviously it is very sad and disappointing. Obviously, I want to enjoy the World Cup. I want to enjoy Wales in the World Cup, but it's important to be visible to the situation. We can argue whether it should or should not be held in Qatar. Should Fifa have allowed it to happen? I think that is more of a conversation to have."
Football Association Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said the Rainbow Wall was "right at the heart of our support base - the Red Wall," and said Fifa and Qatar had given assurances that the World Cup would be "warm and inclusive". He said the FAW would be in "regular dialogue" with LGBT+ supporters to ensure their safety.
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