'Human rights are notoriously violated there': Phillip Lahm announces Qatar World Cup boycott

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Phillip Lahm has confirmed that he won't be part of his country's official delegation for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The 2014 World Cup winner told Kicker: "I'm not part of the delegation and I'm not keen on flying there as a fan. I prefer to follow the tournament from home. Human rights should play the biggest role in the awarding of a tournament.

"If a country is awarded the contract that is one of the worst performers in this regard, you start to think about the criteria used to make the decision. That shouldn't happen again in the future.

"Human rights, sustainability, the size of the country... none of that seems to have played a role. I prefer to stay at home. For me, human rights are more important, which are notoriously violated there'."

The Qatar World Cup will go ahead ahead in November despite the country's poor record when it comes to human and workers' right and LGBTQ+ people.

Source: Kicker