Piers Morgan isn't a fan of the Socceroos' recent video calling out Qatar for its human rights abuses.
The outspoken British television personality has unloaded on the Australian national team, labelling their powerful message 'hypocritical' and 'irritating'.
Australia recently became the first and only FIFA World Cup team to address the host nation's human rights abuses as well as its stance on the LGBTQIA+ community.
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In a video posted online, the players came together in unity and voiced their concerns with Qatar ahead of this year's World Cup.
The clip itself made for impressive viewing and received widespread praise from the wider footballing world – but not everyone was onboard with it.
It was only a matter of time until none other than Piers Morgan had something to say about the matter and, well, he didn't hold back.
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Morgan took to Twitter, saying: “Fine virtue-signalling words… presume you will now be boycotting the tournament? Or don’t you guys care THAT much?”
In a separate tweet, he added: “I find the faux moral outrage around ‘sports-washing’ increasingly irritating.
"If you want to make a moral stand, fine - do it properly & boycott the event/country that offends your morality. Or shut up and play sport.”
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But Morgan wasn’t done yet as he penned a follow-up post, slamming the Australian football team as ‘hypocritical’ for continuing to participate in the tournament despite speaking out.
He wrote: “Either go and play football, or don’t go. Pretending you’re outraged by a country’s morality but then actively promoting the country is hypocritical.”
According to The Guardian, at least 6,500 migrant workers have died while working on the infrastructure and stadiums for the tournament.
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The terrible working conditions, poor pay, strict rules, stance surrounding LGBTQIA+ communities as well as the allegations of bribery in order to win the World Cup bid means this tournament has been shrouded in controversy from the get-go.
Hence why the Aussie players felt it necessary to take a stand.
“As PFA members, we understand the power of collective bargaining and the fundamental rights of all workers to form and join a union,” they said in the video.
“Before players had won these rights their careers in Australia were characterised by the absence of respect and dignity.
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“It is for these reasons we must speak about the situation in Qatar.”
They added: “We stand with FIFPro, the Building and Wood Workers International, and the International Trade Union Confederation, seeking to embed reforms and establish a lasting legacy in Qatar.
“This must include establishing a migrant resource centre, effective remedy for those who have been denied their rights, and the decriminalisation of all same-sex relationships.
“These are the basic rights that should be afforded to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar … [and] a legacy that goes well beyond the final whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Socceroos/ITV/GMBTopics: Australia, Football, Qatar, Football World Cup
