The football world cup is perhaps among the biggest sporting events in the world. As such, eyes of the world are set on the Qatar World Cup that is scheduled to start on November 20. Weeks before the event begins, FIFA, global football’s governing body, has called upon players to focus on their game instead of politics. 

There has been active concern in the footballing world about allowing Qatar to host the world cup considering its record on human rights and its criminalisation of homosexuality. 

FIFA Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Somoura have written a letter addressing footballers of the 32 nations participating in the World Cup. “We know football doesn’t live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature around the world,” the letter stated.

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“But please do not let football be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists,” it added, emphasising: “Please! Let’s now focus on the football.”

Qatar, a peninsular Arab country, ranks among the highest in the Human Development Index (HDI). However, the Qatar government’s treatment of migrant workers and the country’s laws against homosexuality do not stand in stead with a section of the political consensus in Europe, the continent that commands the narrative of global football even if it doesn’t control the field. 

Jurgen Klopp, the legendary German football manager, echoes FIFA’s sentiments, however with caveats. Klopp blamed the media for not being vigilant when it was being decided that the football world cup would be held in Qatar. However, his advice to players was to focus on their game. 

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Klopp said the outrage over hosting the World Cup in Qatar should have come when the country was awarded the event back in 2010.