Passau/Bonn (dpa/lby) - The Bishop of Passau, Stefan Oster, does not believe that the World Cup in Qatar will improve the human rights situation there. "Experience teaches that major sporting events such as world championships and the Olympic Games usually do not improve the social and political situation in the host countries in the long term," said the sports bishop of the Catholic German Bishops' Conference in Bonn on Thursday, according to the announcement.

He didn't want "to make the fans who will be following the World Cup on site and in the media feel guilty," emphasized Oster. "But it's still right to take a critical look at the political and social conditions in Qatar." The bishop recalled the "far too many dead" who died during the construction of the stadiums: "The many dead and injured remain the dark underside of a monumental construction work that must not be forgotten in view of the brilliance of the completed arenas."

The World Cup kicks off this Sunday with the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.