Qatar World Cup boycott makes no sense any more, ex-international says

Former Germany player Thomas Hitzlsperger believes a boycott of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar does not make sense at this point, with the tournament set to start on Nov. 20.

"The stadiums are ready, everything has been prepared, and the damage, such as the deaths in connection with the construction of the stadiums, can no longer be repaired," he said on Monday.

"We have to continue addressing the irregularities and point out that the way the World Cup has materialized is not working," Hitzlsperger added.

A boycott is not a constructive solution any more, he continued.

"If everyone involved will participate (in the boycott), then `ok'. But if only a few were to take part, that would not be effective.

After the end of his career, Hitzlsperger came out as homosexual and has taken a position at the German Football Federation (DFB) as an ambassador for diversity.

About the fact that homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, he said:

"When we talk about homosexual rights, such as the fact that two men aren't allowed to show affection to each other in public, we must also remember that a man and a woman aren't allowed to do that either."