Liverpool have rejected a luxury five-star hotel allocated for them in Doha, Qatar, due to human rights concerns after the club conducted some research.
The Reds are soon set to head to the Middle East in order to compete in the Club World Cup, which they qualified for after becoming European champions.
Liverpool were offered the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, a palatial five-star hotel on the artificial island of Pearl-Qatar, but have turned down the proposition due to its murky past.
The news of Jurgen Klopp's side snubbing the plush venue was revealed by the Athletic, who outline how the Reds decided against the idea after some due diligence.
In October 2018, an investigation by the Guardian revealed that migrant workers employed by the hotel were earning salaries below that of the minimum wage and were operating in breach of labour laws.
The Athletic add that Liverpool have now 'informed FIFA and the Qatari authorities of their decision and have relocated to a hotel on the mainland that did not generate any such worries.'
Liverpool’s move to find alternative accommodation on their own accord will now likely increase scrutiny on Qatar amid long-standing allegations of migrant worker abuse.
It is also reported that FIFA and the Qatari authorities are said to have been responsive to all of Liverpool’s requests so far.
A large majority of the tourism and leisure sector falls in Qatar outside of the control of the authorities, with many hotels being run by global corporations. This includes the Kempinski.
The country is still in the midst of preparing to host the 2022 World Cup, while accusations are still frequently pointed in its direction over the use of slave labour in producing the stadiums for the tournament.
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Liverpool is now not just the best team on the pitch but also in characters. Thanks for showing hearts..