Limburg-based company no longer supplies World Cup grass due to human rights in Qatar

The company Hendriks Graszoden from Heythuysen in Limburg has decided not to supply grass for the World Cup in Qatar next year. The organization is not comfortable with the human rights situation in the country, a spokesperson told explained on Wednesday.

The company Hendriks Graszoden from Heythuysen in Limburg has decided not to supply grass for the World Cup in Qatar next year.

The organization is not comfortable with the human rights situation in the country, a spokesperson explained on Wednesday

Hendriks Graszoden has supplied turf for the major tournaments more often in recent years – they did this at the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 and 2016 European Championships – and also seemed to be taking care of the grass for the World Cup in Qatar.

However, after visiting the country, the company changed its mind.

“When it was announced in 2010 that Qatar could organize the 2022 World Cup, we were invited. We then introduced ourselves to the Olympic committee of Qatar and gave advice on how to optimize the grass,” said the spokesman.

“But we saw how the stadiums were built there. Not all workers wore protective clothing. We did not like that attitude from the organization. You can see the difference between the residents of Qatar and the working people. The locals wear long white robes. , while the workers look a lot less dignified. “

As far as is known, Hendriks Graszoden is the first Dutch company to refrain from cooperating with the organization of the World Cup in Qatar for ethical reasons.