Tennis star Rafael Nadal has called out FIFA over their attempts to suppress political protests during the football World Cup in Qatar. Nadal, a record 21-time Grand Slam winner in his sport, has long been a fanatical fan of the round ball game and attended the 2010 final in South Africa when his native Spain beat Holland. The Real Madrid fan was also in Paris this year to see Los Blancos beat Liverpool in the Champions League final.
But for all football lovers, the decision to stage the game’s biggest tournament in Qatar has been clouded by controversy. There have been concerns raised over the country’s human rights record, whilst the harrowing treatment of migrant workers and the marginalisation of the LGBTQ+ community has also come under the spotlight.
A number of team captains were set to stage their own protest by wearing armbands displaying a rainbow heart design as part of the human rights OneLove campaign, but those plans were scuppered when FIFA revealed such action would result in sanctions. Welsh fans also had rainbow coloured bucket hats confiscated upon arrival to the stadium for their opening game with the USA.
Nadal, 36, has now pushed back at authorities, arguing people should be allowed to voice their support for causes “without harming others.” Addressing the media, he said: “I think those questions need to be asked to FIFA and the people who are organising these major events whether it is the right thing to do or not.”
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Nadal is currently on tour with Casper Ruud, as the pair promote the game of tennis in Latin America. And the Spaniard showed his love of football by playing keepie uppie with his rival at the airport as they waited to board a flight at Belo Horizonte airport.
Nadal posted a video of the impromptu practice session, with the caption: “Pre-check-in at the airport in Belo Horizonte… football World Cup mood. Thank you Brazil for everything!”
Rafael Nadal and touring partner Casper Ruud passed the time while they awaited a flight in their Latin America tour by playing football. The Spaniard, who finished the season as world number two, got into the World Cup spirit with Ruud and showed some football skills by playing keepie uppie with their entourage.