England furious over FIFA’s plea to “stick to football rather than tackle political issues,” at the Qatar World Cup
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After being instructed by president Gianni Infantino to limit conversation to football-related topics during the World Cup, the FA and other European nations are preparing a robust response to FIFA. Sportsmail has informed that the 13 European countries competing in Qatar will make an united statement this weekend claiming they have not yet received essential information from FIFA regarding a number of social and political issues related to the tournament.
After receiving a letter from FIFA on Friday, the European nations are not in the mood to back down. The FA has been a member of UEFA Working Group on Qatar for 18 months, during which time the group has asked the tournament’s organisers a number of important questions that have not yet been addressed.
The formation of a workers’ centre in Doha and compensation for the families of construction workers who died while building World Cup venues are demands made by the UEFA Working Group. The FA is also looking for information on how LGBT attendees will be handled during the competition and how the police would handle any fan public intoxication.
Human rights organisations have criticised Infantino for his attempt to quiet nations, calling it “nothing short of appalling.” Before the event, Qatar’s human rights record, as well as the rights of migrant workers, women, and the LBGT minority there, have come under criticism.
England have inaugrated a campaign to tackle homosexuality issues at Qatar World Cup
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch said: “The content of this letter is nothing short of appalling. Suggesting that imprisoning LGBT people and allowing grave labour abuses is cultural or based in belief is not only nonsensical, it is deeply offensive. Instead of spending its energy sportswashing Qatar’s abuses, FIFA should be looking at ways to support the thousands of workers and their families who continue to suffer because of the World Cup.”
The OneLove initiative was developed by the FA in conjunction with nine other European nations. The armband, which has a rainbow-colored heart on it, will be worn by captains as part of a campaign to encourage inclusivity and combat discrimination during the World Cup. Even though England and Wales will incur a fine for violating a restriction on political activities, FIFA has not yet approved the plan.
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Sujeeth Shetty
(766 Articles Published)