BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s professional soccer leagues have been marked by widespread protests against the World Cup in Qatar, with rival fans joining forces to condemn FIFA corruption and human rights abuses in the Gulf Arab country.
On Sunday, before the last Bundesliga game ahead of the league’s extended two-month winter break, Freiburg fans behind one goal held a huge banner with the words, “Boycott Qatar.”
Other large banners highlighted alleged injustices in the country, while it seemed almost every supporter in the 34,700-capacity stadium held an individual sign calling for a boycott of the tournament, seven days before it was due to begin.
Mainz fans also called for a boycott during their team’s draw with Eintracht Frankfurt.
They were the final protests after weeks of public displays across stadiums against the tournament controversially awarded to Qatar by FIFA amid allegations of vote-buying in 2010.
Beyer said the fans were partly spurred by developments across international soccer, where money is playing an increasingly important role.