Philippe Lahm, ex-captain of the German national football team, has just made a powerful announcement: he will boycott the World Cup in Qatar. An ethical choice based on solid arguments and which deals a first serious blow to the image of the competition.
This decision, Philippe Lahm, 38, shared it during an interview with the media kicker. Theoretically, he should not have been present in Qatar as a player, but as a member of the German delegation. It must be said that he is in charge of Euro 2024 which is being organized in Germany. But for him, there is no question of participating in this competition, whatever his status:
“I am not part of the delegation and I do not intend to make the trip as a supporter. I’d rather stay at home. Human rights should play a greater role in awarding contests.”
For Philippe Lahm, nothing justified the choice of Qatar to host a World Cup:
“This should not happen again in the future. Human rights, the size of the country… None of this seems to have been taken into account.”
Thousands of workers are said to have lost their lives on stadium construction sites. Will this boycott appeal to others? In any case, between the lines, this is what Philippe Lahm seems to want, who explains:
“As players you can’t pretend you don’t know anymore.”
Because we cannot tolerate all excesses and all excesses under the guise of money or spectacle, Philippe Lahm takes an exemplary position here.