Craig Foster slams Tim Cahill for silence human rights abuses in Qatar as World Cup nears

Football legend and FIFA World Cup analyst Craig Foster has called on Qatar Ambassador Tim Cahill to speak out against human rights issues in the country as the planet watches on during the tournament.

Football icon David Beckham has come under fire from football fans and organisations, including Amnesty International, for becoming Qatar’s ambassador at the World Cup, but Cahill has so far almost completely escaped criticism.

Beckham has long been seen as an ally of the LGBTIQ+ community, which is why his role in Qatar has drawn criticism

Cahill poses at a BYD Electric Car launch event in East Sydney and is pictured during his signature goal celebration during his playing days

The former Manchester United and England star has long been an ally of the LGBTQ+ community and has faced criticism for becoming an ambassador for a country where joining the LGBTQ+ community can mean jail time or even death.

While Foster has joined the chorus criticizing Beckham for putting money above his personal beliefs, he has also questioned why former Socceroo Tim Cahill has not spoken out against Qatar’s LGBTIQ+ laws, along with human rights abuses in the country.

Foster is a human rights lawyer and wants former players like Tim Cahill to speak out against controversial LGBTI laws and migrant deaths in Qatar

Foster during his playing days for the Socceroos and wearing a rural aid shirt during a media moment

Cahill serves on the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of the Qatar World Cup alongside Beckham as the two most prominent former players who are paid to push the country’s virtues throughout the tournament.

He is also director of the Aspire Academy in Qatar for the development of youth sports – also home to the Socceroos during the World Cup.

“I’d like to see Tim Cahill speak out and say something now – and I hope he does,” Foster told Daily Mail Australia.

The difference between the two is that David, as part of his brand, is seen as a close ally of the LGBTI community.

He then refused to comment on the criminalization of the LGBTQ community in Qatar.

“From Tim’s perspective, he really hasn’t said anything, whether it’s about migrant workers, the LGBTI community, women’s rights and other issues.

“So Tim is in the vast majority of former players and I’d like to see them all speak out, including Tim.

“I think they have a responsibility to do that.

However, David is in a very special position because he is seen as a very strong ally.

“It is understandable that the LGBTI community feels sad that it refuses to speak out against one of the countries with one of the most oppressive legal systems against their fundamental human rights.”

Foster – who said Beckham’s silence on Qatar’s treatment of gays is “absolutely appalling” – also wants players and broadcasters to do more for the families of the estimated 6,500 migrant workers who have died in the construction of stadiums for the World Cup .

Workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka flocked to Qatar in search of work to feed their families in the decade-long run up to the tournament.

The Lusail Stadium, hosting the World Cup final, was one of many purpose-built venues built by migrant workers

The figure of 6,500 deaths is a conservative one, with India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka losing nearly 6,000 migrant workers between 2011 and 2020, while Pakistan reported 824.

“I would like to see all players and all teams take action, speak up and do more in Qatar,” said Foster.

Australia too.

“However, I would like to acknowledge that the statement the Socceroos have already made is by far the strongest of any team in the world and I congratulate them on that.

Cafu, Idris Elba, Samantha Johnson, Reshmin Chowdhury and Tim Cahill pose for a photo during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 final draw

Cahill gestures near Australian coach Graham Arnold during a training session at Aspire Academy in Doha

“I would like all players and broadcasters to make a donation to the families who have lost a loved one and a breadwinner.

“To 6,500 families who are struggling right now, who are in debt and destitute, and whose loved ones have built the infrastructure for these players to start participating.

“It’s pretty amazing to me that the most high-profile and richest players in the world don’t say we have our own fund, we want to make a donation of the prize money we receive in the World Cup.

“Of course many of us, including me, are calling on FIFA to match the prize pool that is being provided to those families.

“But it’s open to all players to say, listen, I’m going to make my own donation to these families and of course they should in my opinion. All.’