Featured Image Credit: Alamy/FIFA
Topics: Qatar, Football World Cup, Football
Jack Kenmare
Piers Morgan thinks it is "outrageously disrespectful" to Qatar that the BBC decided against broadcasting the World Cup opening ceremony.
Hosts Qatar came up against Ecuador in the opening fixture of this winter's World Cup and ahead of the clash at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Jungkook of BTS and Qatari singer Fahad Al Kubaisi appeared at the opening ceremony.
American actor Morgan Freeman also narrated a piece alongside Qatari entrepreneur Ghanim al Muftah, a FIFA World Cup ambassador who was born with Caudal Regression Syndrome.
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But viewers who tuned into the BBC's television coverage of Sunday's World Cup opener didn't get to see any footage from the ceremony.
Many took to social media to give their thoughts on the decision, including TV broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan, who didn't hold back in his assessments.
He said on Twitter: "Outrageously disrespectful to Qatar that the BBC didn’t broadcast the World Cup opening ceremony, and instead put out more virtue-signalling guff about how awful it is.
"If they’re that appalled, they should bring home their vast army of employees and spare us this absurd hypocrisy."
Morgan also responded to the comment "I’ll disrespect Qatar every day of the week" by saying, "You can do what you like, I’m not obligated to pay a licence fee for your output."
In the opening monologue of the BBC's coverage of Qatar's clash against Ecuador, presenter Gary Lineker delivered some hard-hitting comments as questions continue to surround the tournament.
The hosts have been criticised over their attitude towards women and people within the LGBTQ+ community in the build-up to this winter's tournament, while concerns continue to be raised over the country’s treatment of migrant workers.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker touched on the above in his opening monologue.
"Ever since FIFA chose Qatar back in 2010, the smallest nation to have hosted football's greatest competition has faced some big questions," Lineker said.
"From accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums, where many lost their lives. Homosexuality is illegal here. Women's rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight. Also the decision six years ago to switch the World Cup from summer to winter.
"Against that backdrop, there's a tournament to be played. One that will be watched and enjoyed around the world.
"Stick to football say FIFA. Well, we will, for a couple of minutes at least."