Popular Canterbury pub refuses to show World Cup games in protest against Qatar

The Lady Luck pub in Canterbury has refused to show any World Cup games in response to Qatar’s strict laws against LGBT relationships. 

A sign was placed outside the pub, in the high street, declaring it as a ‘football free zone’ as a protest to stand with those affected. The owner said “We don’t normally show the football, but this year with everything going on in Qatar, we don’t want anything to do with it”.

FIFA’s management have received considerable backlash in response to the location of this year’s World Cup due to the extremely controversial laws upheld by the Qatari government. 

She’s created a truly inclusive place where any intolerant behaviour will result in someone being asked to leave. Love it!” 

Canterbury residents have taken to social media to praise the pub for its stance. One member of the Canterbury Residents facebook page commended the owner, he said: “The landlady is brilliant, as are her staff, and she’s created a truly inclusive place where any intolerant behaviour will result in someone being asked to leave. Love it!” 

Another supporter commented “such an inclusive pub, on the rare occasion we get to go out, it’s always the Lady Luck”.

The pub has had little to no backlash on the matter, but may face the consequences when it comes to profit loss during the competition season. 

Political issues

Celebrities have spoken out about their choice to boycott the event, with some even refusing to attend the event because of the political issues. Singer Rod Stuart, in an interview with the Sunday Times, announced he had turned down a multi million pound check to perform live at the event. He said “it’s not right to go”.

However the topic is largely controversial with some people defending FIFA’s decision. Piers Morgan, known largely for his tendentious remarks, said that politics and virtue signalling should be kept out of the event and players simply “shouldn’t go” if they don’t like it.

Giovanni Vincenzo Infantino, president of FIFA, has accused Europe of ‘moral hypocrisy’ when he addressed the issue in a speech ahead of the tournament. He said “For what we Europeans have been doing around the world in the last 3,000 years we should be apologising for the next 3,000 years before starting to give moral lessons”.