Two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Qatar (November 20 to December 18), FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Fatma Samoura sent a letter to all nations participants asking them to focus on football and not deal with the various controversies. regarding the host country, such as LGBT+ rights or concerns about the treatment of migrant workers.
“We know that football does not live in its own world and we are also aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature around the world. it is written in the letter that the English medium Sky Sports was able to consult. But please don’t let football get dragged into every ideological or political battle out there. »
Last week, Australian internationals reported “suffering” borne by the migrant workers who built the infrastructure and demanded the decriminalization of same-sex relationships and “a concrete solution” for those whose rights are not respected. For their part, the Danes have announced that they will go to the World Cup without their families to protest against the country’s human rights record.
“Let football take center stage
In the letter, Infantino also writes: “At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without giving moral lessons to the rest of the world. One of the world’s great strengths is, in fact, its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means respecting that diversity. No people, culture or nation is “better” than another. This principle is the cornerstone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And it is also one of the fundamental values of football. So please let’s all remember that and let football take center stage. »
The FIFA president assures that everyone will be welcome in Qatar “regardless of origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation or nationality”.