Crowded fan zone turns thousands away before Qatar World Cup game
At least 3,000 people surrounded the soccer stadium to catch a glimpse of the Qatar World Cup team, only to be turned away before the players could do a group picture in front of the iconic blue, white and red banner of Qatar.
At least 3,000 people surrounded the soccer stadium to catch a glimpse of the Qatar World Cup team, only to be turned away before the players could do a group picture in front of the iconic blue, white and red banner of Qatar. (JAMES GATES/GETTY IMAGES)
The Qatar World Cup is a massive international showcase for soccer and a rare opportunity for fans to see some of world’s most recognizable soccer players. Since the tournament’s launch in August 2011, crowds have been growing steadily, with roughly 16,000 spectators attending the opening games in the UAE last month, and an estimated 55,000 fans attending the final match.
But as the tournament has gathered momentum, many have come to see it as the only place from which they can view the stars of the game. The World Cup has sparked a public debate about the ethics of watching players participate in a sport in which human rights are often the subject of public debate, and it has prompted a new movement: the #QatarCrowds movement, which has become the world’s largest social media campaign to raise awareness about the Qatar World Cup. Despite the global media attention and public uproar, the Qatar World Cup has faced a growing tide of criticism from critics on human rights and women’s rights, as well as questions over the ability of the Qatari government to host a high-profile international event.
For at least 3,000 fans, the Qatari World Cup was a rare chance to say farewell to one of the world’s biggest sporting events. At one point in early October, the stadium was filled to capacity, with the stadium staff unable to keep the fans who had gathered on the pitch.
