England stars considering conducting human rights protest ahead of upcoming match

England players are considering joining football's growing protest against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, where it has been alleged 6,500 migrant workers have died during the building of stadiums

Posted Sunday, March 28, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk

England stars are to consider joining football's growing protest against World Cup hosts Qatar.

Both Norway and Germany players wore shirts with ‘human rights' messages last week before their qualification games for the World Cup finals in 2022.

That follows allegations that more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar in ten years during the building of stadiums to be used in the competition. Qatari officials claim that figure is just 35.

And England skipper Harry Kane has refused to rule out the possibility that Gareth Southgate's men could deliver a similar show of opposition to the Gulf state's poor human rights' record.

Harry Kane says England stars will consider joining football's growing protest against World Cup hosts Qatar

Kane said: "That's a conversation that first and foremost we need to have among the players, the manager and the staff. We haven't had that conversation yet.

"I can't see there being anything against it. Like we've done with taking the knee, it's important to have everyone's point of view, everyone in a room discussing what they feel and what they want to do.

"Then we can make a decision as a group and go forward with that.

"You saw the teams doing it this week so I think it'd be a good conversation to have. And from there I'm sure there'd be an outcome."

In the past FIFA have fined teams or individuals who make political statements on t-shirts - but have not done so on this occasion.

An FA Spokesperson said: "We acknowledge the latest reports regarding the conditions for migrant workers in Qatar.

"We are in regular contact with Amnesty International who are keeping us informed of developments, and also with FIFA, other Member Associations and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

"We are working closely with all to ensure that, if we qualify, we approach our participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in a socially responsible manner.

"From those discussions to date, we believe that there is evidence of some progress being made by Qatar, however we recognise there is still much more to be done.

"Our view remains that change is best achieved by working collaboratively with others so that we can continue to ask the right questions, while always being mindful that we have our own challenges in this country."