Qatar is reviewing its investments in London after the organization that runs the capital’s transport system banned advertisements for the Middle Eastern country on the subway, buses and taxis.
A source with knowledge of the review told Sky News that Transport for London’s (TfL) decision is “another glaring example of double standards and virtue signaling to score cheap political points” around the world Cupthat the Gulf nation currently hosts.
Hitting TfL’s move, Qatar said it had “been interpreted as a message from the mayor’s office that Qatari businesses are not welcome in London”.
TfL’s decision follows concerns over the state’s policy on LGBT+ rights and how it treats migrant workers, amid construction worker deaths in the build-up to the competition.
Homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and having same-sex relationships is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
Criticism of the nation intensified this week after the football associations of seven countries, including England and Wales, dropped a plan to have some players wear OneLove armbands.
The armbands were meant to be worn in a gesture of solidarity with the LGBT+ community.
However, the football associations have said they are unwilling to risk ‘sporting penalties’ to uphold the principle, with star players including England captain Harry Kane and Welsh skipper Gareth Bale facing a card. instant yellow and potentially a match ban.
The Qatar team has already been eliminated from the tournament after just two games, following defeats in their two group matches so far, with a third against the Netherlands still to play on Tuesday.
Qatar is one of the biggest investors in London through its sovereign wealth fund.
The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) owns the Harrods department store, the Shard skyscraper and is a co-owner of Canary Wharf.
The Gulf state also owns the Savoy and Grosvenor House hotels, a 20% stake in Heathrow Airport and a 14% stake in supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.
Speaking in light of TfL’s advertising ban, a source with knowledge of Qatar’s review told Sky News: “Qatari people see this as a contradiction from the political leadership in London.
“At a time when other investors are pulling out of London due to economic instability, the decision has been interpreted as a message from the mayor’s office that Qatari business is not welcome in London.”
The source said this “although the Mayor benefits from Qatar’s investment in London and calls from his colleagues to encourage further investment in London, particularly as part of Qatar’s commitment to invest £10 billion in the UK in June”.
The Shard skyscraper in London. Photo: AP
“All current and future investments in London reviewed”
The source added: “Following the decision, the Qataris have begun a review of all their current and future investments in London and looking instead at investment opportunities in other UK cities and home countries, the decision could be made more attractive to Qataris due to London entering a potential recession and the continued economic instability in the city in recent months.”
A TfL spokesman said ahead of the World Cup it had provided its advertising partners and brands with “additional guidance on advertising which we will likely consider acceptable to run during the tournament whilst also ensuring that that football fans are not denied the opportunity to support their teams”.
“Each ad campaign continues to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”
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In 2019, London Mayor Sadiq Khan asked TfL to review how it deals with advertising and sponsorship from countries with anti-LGBT+ laws.
This led to adverts from 11 countries, including Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, being returned to TfL for review. The 11s either have the death penalty for homosexual acts or they can impose such a penalty.
TfL has admitted that some adverts referencing Qatar have been approved for broadcast on the network since 2019.
But the organization decided to impose a total ban this week.
Ads promoting ‘unacceptable’ trips to Qatar
TfL said advertising promoting travel to Qatar, tourism in Qatar or featuring Qatar as a desirable destination would not be considered acceptable.
But TfL added that advertising that includes the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 logo “will be acceptable”, as will advertising that “encourages people to watch the matches on TV or streaming services”. .
A spokesman for Mr Khan’s office said: “It is fair that TfL considers each advertising campaign on its network on a case-by-case basis, against its advertising policy. TfL has issued new guidelines to advertising partners ahead of the Cup of the world.
“There are a number of instances where an advertisement may be deemed unacceptable and, as a strong supporter of the rights of LGBTQ+ Londoners, in 2019 the Mayor asked TfL to review its policy on all advertisements which refer to countries that criminalize same-sex relationships. They are now being scrutinized by TfL before appearing on the network.”
