Toulouse also says no to giant screens during the World Cup in Qatar
Several municipalities disapprove of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which must take place in the middle of winter from November 20 to December 18.
These municipalities have announced their refusal to install giant screens or set up fan zones, as may have been the case in previous editions of the tournament. Lille,
Marseilles
and Paris
were the first cities to say no. In Occitania, the mayor of Rodez was also one of the first to advocate responsible footing and said no to giant screens. “I do not endorse the organization of this competition in this country” noted the mayor of Rodez Christian Teyssèdre.
“Pendant preparing for the holidays”
And so the mayor of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Moudenc join this movement. He first highlights the aspect incongruous with the calendar. “Outdoor organizer of match broadcasts for this edition scheduled for the beginning of winter (with a time difference) and during the preparation for the end of year celebrations, we have always seemed of very little interest to the public, and therefore inappropriate”, said the mayor of the pink city.
Jean-Luc Moudenc also economic arguments in this time of budget cuts. “The rental and installation of a large screen in public space represents a significant cost and energy expenditure that we did not intend to incur in this period when we know the necessary savings.
And then the mayor comes to the political aspect on which he is quite laconic. “Let’s face it, the context in which this 2022 edition is organized does not encourage mobilization.” So no screen in Toulouse, even if the mayor obviously promises to support the Blues : “We will continue to proudly support our French football team”, says Jean-Luc Moudenc. The first match of the France team will take place on November 22.
The municipality which also recalls that, when the World Cup will open, it organizes a meeting with “the world of sport, amateur and professional, around the fight against violence against women in sport.” A date set for November 25.