Qatar rows to recruit artists for its World Cup.
On Sunday, in the center of the Al-Bayt stadium, Morgan Freeman spoke with a young Qatari influencer Ghanim Al-Muftah.
The 85-year-old kicked off the opening ceremony with a speech titled
The Call of Qatar
.
The inauguration of the competition was constructed as an encounter between two characters.
Morgan Freeman questions his presence in Qatar.
Ghanim Al-Muftah invites him.
The actor then declaimed to the crowd:
"We gather here as a great tribe and the Earth is the tent in which we live."
After this inclusive speech, the two characters put their hands together.
A gesture, perhaps, inspired by
Creation -
Michelangelo's iconic fresco adorning the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Or the movie poster of Steven Spielberg,
ET
Despite this show full of glitter, the American actor was strongly criticized on social networks.
"For a man who played Nelson Mandela - who knew better than anyone the impact and importance of a country's isolation and his success on the ground in changing that nation's politics - it is so disappointing to see #MorganFreeman take the money and support an oppressive regime
,” one Twitter user wrote.
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“Morgan Freeman should be ashamed. How much do they pay you? How high is your integrity? Never raise your voice to talk about minorities. You have just lost this privilege”
, assures another.
The actor has long been known for his political commitments.
A great defender of the black cause in the United States, during his career he played characters like Malcom X or Nelson Mandela, in
Invictus
, and made a film denouncing apartheid.
His choice to accept the opening ceremony of the controversial World Cup in Doha seems largely misunderstood by his fans.
He is not the only one to be strongly criticized for this choice.
Master Gims will sing during the final
"I will perform (sic) in the World Cup final live in Doha on December 18, for Congo, for France, for history..."
wrote Maître Gims on Twitter on Sunday.
He too caused an outcry from his fans.
We imagine that it was a proposal difficult to refuse: in duet with the artist Ozuna the rapper interprets
Arhbo
, one of the anthems of the event.
A surfer replied to him:
“artists refuse en masse on principle … And then there is Gims who wants his check.”
Rod Stewart, who was approached by the Emirate, explains that he refused a check for one million dollars...
David Guetta is also expected to take the stage in Doha.
This will remind supporters of memories of Euro 2016. But as for Morgan Freeman and Maître Gims, his fans denounce the DJ who, according to them, answered
the “call for money”
.
Invited on the set of an Israeli channel, the Colombian artist, Maluma, categorically refused to answer when the journalist Moa Vardi asked him if, like Dua Lipa, he had "
not a problem with human rights violations Man in Qatar?
".
The South American musician, co-author of a hymn for the 2022 World Cup with Nicki Minaj and the Lebanese Myriam Fares, answered in the affirmative before getting carried away.
And to explain that he came “
to enjoy life, to enjoy football, the football party.
It's not something I need to be involved in
."
“
Can you understand people who are going to say that by your mere presence here, you condone…
“, insists the journalist.
Without letting him finish Moa Vardi, Maluma got up from his seat and left the set.
Other artists participate directly or indirectly in the World Cup.
Among those who have agreed to perform on stage, we find Robbie Williams, the Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, J. Balvin, Major Lazer or even Enrique Iglesias... In total around sixty artists will punctuate the Qatar World Cup.
Fans deprived of beer
After various medleys such as the songs of previous editions or a parade of mascots, followed the presentation of La'eeb and the sensational entry of Jungkook.
The famous South Korean singer of the K-Pop group BTS performed
Dreamers
, the anthem of the 2022 World Cup.
Many artists refused to perform in Doha.
A choice shared by Colombian singer Shakira, Rod Stewart and Dua Lipa.
The latter had indicated on Instagram that she would go to Qatar, "
when it has fulfilled all the human rights commitments made when it obtained the right to host the World Cup
".
The small Gulf emirate is accused by many NGOs of not respecting human rights: 6,500 workers died there, according to an investigation by The Guardian.
LGBT people wanting to attend the global event were told to use “
discretion
”.
In Qatar, homosexuality is punished by up to 7 years in prison.
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Latest scandal to date, in stadiums, supporters are deprived of their favorite drink: beer.
To the chagrin of Budweiser, one of the very important sponsors of the World Cup.
But Qatar does not give up and rebels against the strong criticism of the international press.
Like his government, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani cried racism.