FIFA calls on World Cup teams to 'focus on football' in Qatar

Lausanne, Nov 4, 2022 (AFP) - FIFA has called on the teams participating in the controversial Qatar World Cup to "focus on football" and stop "handing out moral lessons" in a letter revealed by Sky News on Thursday.

Qatar has faced criticism for its human rights record on the treatment of foreign workers on major infrastructure projects for the World Cup, on women's rights and LGBTQ rights.

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state and captains from a number of leading European countries, including England, France and Germany, will wear armbands in rainbow colours with the message "One Love" in an anti-discrimination campaign.

Last week, the Australian national team condemned the "suffering" of migrant workers.

"Please let's now focus on the football!" FIFA president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura said in a letter sent to all 32 World Cup teams, confirmed to AFP by world football's governing body.

"We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.

"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

Qatar organisers have defended the country's rights record.

After the Australian players' criticism, a World Cup spokesperson said imposing "robust" labour laws had also been a "challenge" for Australia.

Earlier this week, the Arab League states slammed criticism of Qatar as a "defamation campaign" ahead of the tournament.

"One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity," continued the FIFA letter.

"No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other."

Qatar Labour Minister Ali bin Samikh Al Marri told AFP on Wednesday that calls for a new compensation fund for migrant workers was a "publicity stunt".

He also accused some of the country's critics of "racism".

"They don't want to allow a small country, an Arab country, an Islamic country, to organise the World Cup," Marri said.

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