Morgan Freeman Sparks Backlash After Leading Qatar World Cup Opening Ceremony

Hollywood star Morgan Freeman made a surprise appearance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, sparking backlash from disappointed fans.

This year’s World Cup has attracted criticism and controversy, prompting many to boycott the competition due to concerns regarding gender inequality, homophobia and human rights abuses in Qatar.

A report by the Guardian claimed that 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the competition a decade ago, with many facing hazardous working conditions to build the infrastructure necessary to host the World Cup. Same-sex relations are illegal in Qatar, and visiting LGBTQ soccer fans have been warned against “public displays of affection.”

Several celebrities such as Dua Lipa, Shakira and Rod Stewart were outspoken about the controversy, outright refusing to perform at this year’s World Cup in protest against Qatar’s human rights abuses. Freeman, however, has not voiced similar concerns.

Freeman kicked off the opening ceremony on Sunday by narrating the opening segment “The Calling” at Doha’s Al-Bayt Stadium, which paid lip service to inclusion, diversity and understanding. Freeman told the crowd: “We gather here as one big tribe, and Earth is the tent we all live in.”

The irony was not lost on Twitter users, and Freeman’s fans didn’t hesitate to voice their disappointment of the actor’s participation in the ceremony.

Others posted memes making fun of Freeman’s presumably hefty paycheck.

Much like Tom Hanks, Freeman has managed to cultivate a positive reputation through his film roles, and distinctively soothing voice. Hence, fans seemed shocked that Freeman’s wholesome public image didn’t seem to correspond with his actions.

In response to the controversy on Reddit, users posted a link to Freeman’s 2013 AMA (Ask Me Anything), in which he responded to a fan asking him which acting roles are the most fun to play.

Freeman wrote, “The most fun are the ones that pay the most.”