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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Darragh Culhane

RTE viewers praise 'bold' Eamon Dunphy after legendary pundit takes aim at Qatar on Late Late Show

RTE viewers were full of praise for Eamon Dunphy after he took aim at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

There have been allegations of corruption after Qatar was awarded the World Cup in 2010 and the poor treatment of migrant workers has been highlighted by human rights groups.

And the legendary RTE pundit did not hold back when appearing on Friday night's Late Late Show.

He said when speaking to Ryan Tubridy: "Effectively Qatar bought the World Cup.

"It was crooked but a natural culmination of all the corruption through the decades.

"They had one stadium, they now had eight. Motorways, airports, hotels.

"They brought in migrant because they had to."

And Qatar as been criticised towards its attitude towards the LGBTQ+

He added: "For soccer where we want gay people and everyone to enjoy the sport. It's the people's game.

"What they are trying to do is normalise their way of living by bringing these major events to these countries.

"What they are trying to say to the world is 'we're like you and you're like us.

"Soccer needs to stop this corruption and needs to support workers' rates and do everything to get gay people to come and play.

"If any player in the Premier League his life would be hell, therefore no one has ever come out except one. We have to, as a sport, encourage people.

"I think the World Cup should never be played in the middle of the season in the heat it is being played in.

"I think there is a shadow. The story won't go away and will take away from the occasion.

"I think I'll watch it but not with the same love and passion as other World Cups. This is a step too far.

"I can't forget it and I don't think most football fans will forget the death of those workers and the prejudice against people.

"We'll watch it but must of what we do in sport is with our heart and soul. It's love. You can't be detached. It's the people's game, everybody's game."

And viewers were full of praise for Dunphy.

One social media user said: "I love every interview that Dunphy does is that he’s always on the verge of tears because of the passion he has"

While another said: "Watching Eamon Dunphy on the telly talking very well about Qatar WC."

And another said: "Dunphy calling out the joke that is #WorldCup on the #LateLateShow is correct"

And another said: "Very impressed by Eamon Dunphy discussion on #Qatar2022 re #HumanRights & need to avoid #SportsWashing @FIFAWorldCup"

While another added: "Very good summation by the bold Eamo to give him his dues. #latelateshow"

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