Pub owners in Germany to boycott telecast of Qatar's FIFA games

Two pub owners in Germany decided that they will not be showing matches of the upcoming Qatar World Cup. They said, they took the decision from “an ethical standpoint" given the Gulf state’s record on human rights.

Intense worldwide pressure has been placed on the host Qatar, because of how it treats foreign workers and its strict social restrictions.

Concerns about the nation's human rights record have led to calls for teams and officials to boycott the games during the tournament, which starts from November 20 to December 18.

"Too many human rights were violated and from an ethical standpoint, I can't justify it," Fanny Delaune, owner of "Babel" sports bar in Bonn, told Reuters.

"Some understand it and others will watch anyway but ultimately, it's my bar and my decision."

Tobias Epping, who owns "Die Wache" bar, will also do the same.

"Not just me but also my regular customers who I asked to vote on Facebook and Instagram decided not to show the World Cup because there was a point when we said 'enough'," he said.

"The number of workers killed went beyond 15,000, stadiums are air conditioned during times like these and you can't even drink a beer which for me as a bar owner obviously is a part of it: no. We can no longer support that.

"From an economic point of view: was this a smart decision? Probably not. But at least you can go to a bar with a clean conscience..."

A female fan, who did not share her name, said she would support the boycott.

"Even if Qatar had great stadiums and fantastically paid workers, in any case a World Cup during the winter is stupid," she said.

"But in this case, it's totally unacceptable. I don't feel like watching and I fully support a boycott. I won't be watching."