Entertainment
Sir Michael Parkinson calls Fifa boss ‘beyond redemption’ during scathing attack on World Cup 2022: ‘Let him crawl away and wither’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Sir Michael did not hold back.
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Sir Michael Parkinson has ripped into football and the Word Cup, claiming it has ‘nothing to do with anyone except bent millionaires.’
This year’s contest has been controversial for taking place in Qatar, where there are strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws and a severe lack of protections for women.
Several workers, including a 40-year-old British man, also died while constructing the stadium.
Stars, including Dua Lipa and Si Rod Stewart, have strongly condemned the human rights situation in the Arab host country, turning down lucrative offers to perform.
Meanwhile, comedian Joe Lycett gave David Beckham an ultimatum to drop his multimillion-pound contract to be an ambassador for Qatar, or he would otherwise shred £10,000.
The latest celeb to slam Fifa’s decision to hold the games in Qatar was legendary broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson.
Appearing on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, the 87-year-old was asked by host Richard Madeley if he would want to interview FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Sir Michael said football had become ‘too silly for words’ (Picture: ITV)
Sir Michael responded: ‘No, he’s beyond redemption. Let him crawl away and wither.’
The veteran interviewer then explained that the ‘trouble’ with the sport was that it had ‘gone beyond its meaning.’
Sir Michael did not hold back when it came to Infantino (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
He continued: ‘[It’s] transferred to another world that is totally unreal, it’s just too silly for words. The people who are running the game should be thoroughly ashamed.
Explaining football had a ‘noble background’, Sir Michael raged: ‘They think they’ve got it right but they’ve totally misunderstood its importance. They’ve created a totally false image. It has nothing to do with anyone except bent millionaires.’
Sir Michael bemoaned the state of football on Good Morning Britain (Picture: ITV)
One star who is travelling to Qatar is Robbie Williams, who will perform during the global event despite the country’s human rights issues.
Speaking out for the first time on the matter, Rock DJ singer Robbie passionately stood by his decision to perform at Doha Golf Club on December 8.
The Angels hitmaker told Italian newspaper Il Venerdì di Repubblica: ‘Of course, I don’t condone any abuses of human rights anywhere.
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‘That being said, if we’re not condoning human rights abuses anywhere, then it would be the shortest tour the world has ever known. I wouldn’t even be able to perform in my own kitchen.’
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
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