The FA accused of not taking strong enough stance against Qatar

Human rights groups accuse the FA of not taking a strong enough stance against the inhumanity behind this year’s World Cup in Qatar…while the players feel they haven’t been protected from unwarranted criticism

  • Human rights groups have criticised the FA for their stance on Qatar
  • England players feel they haven’t been protected from World Cup controversy 
  • Harry Kane will wear the One Love armband throughout the tournament
  • But human rights organisations feel the gesture does not go far enough 
  • Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates

The FA have been accused of not taking a strong enough stance against the inhumanity that has overshadowed the build-up to the World Cup.

English football’s governing body made their long-awaited statement on Wednesday in relation to the human rights atrocities that have taken place in Qatar ahead of the tournament.

The FA vowed to lobby FIFA over labour protection laws after the abuse of migrant workers, and confirmed captain Harry Kane would wear a ‘One Love’ armband during the tournament, which is significant because homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.

However, the steps received a tepid reception from supporters and human rights groups — with Stonewall and Amnesty International indicating the FA had fallen short.

The FA have said any worker injury related to construction projects in Qatar will be compensated 

Sportsmail has also learned there is a sense among a number of senior England players that the FA have not done enough to protect them from criticism.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham defended the statement on Wednesday night, insisting suggestions they have not been hard enough was unfair.

The FA called for any worker injury or death on construction projects linked to the World Cup to be compensated and said they will push for a Migrant Workers’ Centre to be created in Qatar. They also vowed to meet migrant workers at their training base in Qatar.

Harry Kane will wear the One Love armband

With regard to the One Love armband, Kane will join the captains of the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales in the anti- discrimination gesture, starting with tomorrow’s Nations League match against Italy in Milan. The ‘One Love’ campaign was originally the idea of the Dutch but has been adopted by fellow European nations.

Kane said: ‘I am honoured to join my fellow captains in supporting the important One Love campaign. We may all be competing against each other but we stand together against all forms of discrimination.

‘This is even more relevant at a time when division is common in society. Wearing the armband together will send a clear message when the world is watching.’

However, there was no collective statement from the players or manager Gareth Southgate (left). The latter is likely to address the issue on Thursday.

Amnesty International welcomed the FA statement but felt they could have taken a firmer stance. Felix Jakens, from Amnesty UK, said: ‘It’s obviously welcome the FA is actively seeking to promote inclusion and anti-discrimination, and it’s important this is extended to the World Cup. But the FA now needs to specifically support a FIFA compensation fund for abused workers and the families of those who have died to make the World Cup happen.’

The England players are said to not be happy that they haven’t been protected from criticism 

Liz Ward, director of programmes at Stonewall, said: ‘We must remember Qatar is a country where LGBTQ+ people are persecuted simply for being themselves. Sadly, this year’s tournament is not safe for everyone, which is why it’s so important to see Harry Kane pledging to wear an anti-discrimination armband — even though the Rainbow itself is still banned.

‘The global sporting community needs to call out the criminalisation and persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar. It will take more than armbands to end discrimination, but these are positive steps from the FA.’

Sources have also indicated England players feel they have been publicly criticised for issues that do not fall under their remit.

‘It’s not the players’ fault the World Cup is in Qatar, but they are the ones taking all the flak,’ said an insider. ‘If a player said he was withdrawing from the tournament, the FA would just replace him. They can’t win.’

Asked about the underwhelming response to the FA’s statement, Bullingham said: ‘I’m not sure I see that as fair. We think what we announced reflects the needs of what we’ve been asked to do.’




Share this article

Source: Read Full Article