Editor's Pick

Boycott or play ball? Ireland’s football fanatics conflicted as Qatar 2022 kicks off

Controversy over the gulf nation as tournament host, its horrific human rights record and anti-LGBTQ+ stance have left competing teams, fans and media broadcasters in a quandary

An aerial view of Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar. Picture: Getty

It’s fair to say that Niall Quinn was left underwhelmed by his first – and only – trip to Qatar.

Quinn, then chairman of Sunderland AFC, flew to the Gulf country in 2010 as part of a delegation of visiting dignitaries from England. The former Republic of Ireland international was helping with the English bid to host the 2018 World Cup, while the Qataris were in the middle of an audacious campaign to bring the ...