Fox to Avoid World Cup Off-Field Controversy in Qatar
By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) Fox plans to avoid coverage of Qatars controversial treatment of migrant workers during World Cup broadcasts, much as it didnt address criticism of Russias government during the 2018 tournament.
Our stance is if it affects what happens on the field of play, we will cover it and cover it fully, David Neal, executive producer of Foxs World Cup coverage, said Thursday. But if it does not, if it is ancillary to the story of the tournament, there are plenty of other entities and outlets out there that are going to cover that. We firmly believe the viewers come to us to see what happens on the field, on the pitch.
Neal spoke at an event to debut images of the networks set in Doha made of LED screens, the hub of its coverage of a tournament that runs from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
This set, in typical subtle Fox fashion, he said, I think it will be visible from Mars,
Qatar has been criticized over its treatment of the workers who built the World Cup venues. Paris city government will not broadcast World Cup matches on giant screens in public fan zones amid concerns over rights violations of migrant workers and the environmental impact of the tournament in Qatar.
Neal said he did not regret bypassing coverage of issues such as racism and sexism in Russia four years ago.
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