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Bruno Fernandes reveals why players are unhappy with the World Cup in Qatar.
Bruno Fernandes has acknowledged players are unhappy with the timing of this year’s World Cup and the human rights issues that are present in Qatar.
The Middle East, which is hosting FIFA’s premier tournament for the first time, has already caused elite leagues throughout the world to wait for the winter extravaganza there.
At least 6,500 workers have died in Qatar since the country was awarded the World Cup in December.
Although the World Cup organizers state “everyone is welcome” and assert that no one will be discriminated against, homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is punished by death.
Speaking after Man Utd’s win over Fulham, Fernandes said: “Of course it’s strange [the World Cup starting next week]. It’s not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup. I think for everyone, players and fans, it’s not the best time. Kids will be at school, people will be working and the timings will not be the best for people to watch the games.
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“We know the surroundings of the World Cup, what has been in the past few weeks, past few months, about the people that have died on the construction of the stadiums. We are not happy about that at all.
“We want football to be for everyone, everyone has to be included and involved in a World Cup because a World Cup is the world. It’s for everyone, it doesn’t matter who. These kind of things I think should not happen at any time. But for a World Cup it’s more than football, it’s a party for fans, players, something that’s a joy to watch, should be done in a better way.”
Christian Eriksen added: “It starts and it’s football, no matter where it is. It’s football, we qualified and we’ll play.
“A lot has been written, there’s a lot of focus on how it’s happened and why it’s in Qatar. I don’t agree with how it’s happened but we’re footballers and we play football. Change has to come from somewhere else.”