UK trend: BBC’s bias against the Qatar World Cup ignites Twitter

21 November 2022

The biggest football competition in the world began with a lavish ceremony. However, the BBC decided not to pause the coverage of Chelsea vs. Spurs’ WSL match, leaving spectators who tuned into BBC One in anticipation bitterly disappointed. Journalists like Piers Morgan used Twitter to express their displeasure and received over 80,000 likes and 5,000 comments from people who share his frustration. With the hashtag “The BBC” receiving over 100 thousand tweets.

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 & spare us this absurd hypocrisy.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 20, 2022

BBC’s bias against the Qatar World Cup

Angered by the decision, supporters vented their resentment on social media, with many pointing out what they perceived as hypocrisy on the part of the BBC to preserve the broadcast rights to the event while also restricting viewing.

Gary lineker on bbc news talking about the lack of human rights of Qatar. All whilst he's sitting there taking the money. The Hypocrisy of the guy knows no bounds!!

— Kim Marie Lennon (@Kimarielennon) November 18, 2022

The BBC came under heavy fire from viewers for not airing the World Cup opening ceremony and for their “hypocritical behaviour.” As they did not bring up several issues in the past, such as the violation of human rights in China during the 2008 Olympics or Russia’s hosting of the 2018 World Cup.

Imagine if the BBC had begun Russia 2018 like this by reminding the audience about the annexation of Crimea, Russia's attack on Donbas and the already thousands of deaths of Ukrainians. Instead, they ignored it all and helped with the sportwashing. Better this time. https://t.co/nmblkGXK6V

— Jonathan Hibberd 🇺🇦 (@Jonnyhibberd) November 20, 2022

I get why the BBC have opened their World Cup broadcasting with a condemnation of Qatar’s human rights record. But I don’t remember them doing that when China hosted the Olympics.#QatarWorldCup2022

— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) November 20, 2022

Qatar World Cup: BBC’s decision biased against Islam

Ghanim Al Muftah starring the World Cup 2022 Opening Ceremony alongside Morgan Freeman (Anadolu Images) — ^{Ghanim Al Muftah and Morgan Freeman (Anadolu Images)}

Many fans were even more infuriated with the BBC because they claimed that their decision not to broadcast the Qatar World Cup opening ceremony was biased not only against Qatar but also against Islam as a religion and the message of “love and peace between all tribes” that was highlighted during the opening ceremony, which included the recitation of verses from the Quran.

The BBC has never boycotted a World Cup opening event until now, when it was hosted by the first Muslim Arab nation.

Shameful display by the British state mouthpiece.

Qatar should consider giving BBC the boot. 🥾💥#FIFAWorldCup #BBC #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/QGjc9i8EoX

— Robert Carter (@Bob_cart124) November 20, 2022

Quite disgusted at BBC's opening coverage of #FIFAWorldCup2022

Never has any other host country been subjected to so much disproportionate criticism. Why? Simply because it's a Muslim country! Just focus on the Football!!! #FIFAWorldCup

— Haroon Mota (@Haroon_Mota) November 20, 2022

So BBC deliberately didn’t show the World Cup Opening Ceremony because of their hate towards Qatar and the Qur’ān recitation taken place before the game. They’d rather show Women’s Football who NOBODY cares about than put their ego’s and bitterness aside. Pathetic from the BBC.

— ᴀ (@Abdvrrahmaan) November 20, 2022

Excellent question. The answer is a mix of Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia. There won’t be a peep about human rights when the US hold the World Cup in 2026. This is despite the US having arguably the world’s worst human rights record in the last 20 years.

— BR (@hairybads) November 20, 2022

A small minority were in support of the BBC’s actions, but they were shut down by other Twitter users for being unreasonable in their support of what the BBC did.

Think the BBC have covered things really well so far.

Not shying away from all the talking points that have surrounded this World Cup.

Many will say it's not the time for it, but it's probably the perfect time.pic.twitter.com/osMaHmEpfP

— Andy (@LetsTalk_FPL) November 20, 2022

Some fans called the BBC out for their “hypocrisy” because they failed to denounce China or Russia when they hosted, even if they understood the BBC’s criticism of Qatar’s human rights record.

I get why the BBC have opened their World Cup broadcasting with a condemnation of Qatar’s human rights record. But I don’t remember them doing that when China hosted the Olympics.#QatarWorldCup2022

— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) November 20, 2022

They were also criticized for criticizing Qatar’s shortcomings while doing nothing to hold their government accountable for comparable problems, like the deaths of migrant workers in the UK.

I don’t understand why nobody spoken about this for four years and it’s only in the last two weeks latest it’s become such a great issue. How many migrants have died on building sites in the Uk???

— Dwecko (@AlbertDwek) November 20, 2022

Gary Lineker and his accusations drew harsh criticism from the public. Scott Benton, a member of the parliament, and others expressed their displeasure on twitter.

30 mins into the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup and football hasn’t had a mention. Overpaid @GaryLineker and co lecturing the world on climate emissions, human rights & more. If they’re that bothered why did they go? Could have saved thousands & reported on it from the UK.

— Scott Benton 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@ScottBentonMP) November 20, 2022

The BBC’s coverage of Qatar World Cup 2022 was introduced by Gary Lineker, who referred to it as the “most controversial World Cup in history.”

In his opening remarks, he continued by alleging “corruption” in the FIFA selection process and saying that Qatar, the World Cup’s smallest host nation, had “serious questions” to answer. These concerns, according to Lineker, included how Qatar “treated migrant labourers many of whom lost their lives” while constructing the stadium facilities.

In addition, Lineker reminded viewers that homosexuality was unlawful in Qatar.