The English Premier League relegated Watford FC has canceled a planned friendly against the national team of World Cup hosts Qatar.
The club responded to protests from their own supporters, which had become loud in the past few days.
"It became more than clear that this game could not be played," said a club spokesman.
The Hornets' game against Qatar was announced at the end of last week and should have taken place as part of the club's training camp in Austria.
Criticism then hailed on social networks.
The fan groups "Women of Watford" and "Proud Hornets" protested.
They were "disappointed" with the appointment and announced that they would like to talk to the club.
In a joint statement, they said they were "delighted" that the club had heard the concerns and decided not to play.
Criticism by Amnesty International
The World Cup in Qatar is highly controversial because of the human rights situation there.
Most recently, Amnesty International criticized serious shortcomings.
Before the finals from November 21 to December 18, "the authorities further restricted the right to freedom of expression," according to the annual report of the human rights organization.
Women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI+) continued to be discriminated against "both by law and in everyday life".
In addition, reports of thousands of dead workers continue to cause criticism - especially from Europe.