A week after numerous European nations requested FIFA to take measures to improve the rights of migrant workers in the host country, Brazil's football governing body (CBF) has reinforced FIFA's stance that the World Cup in Qatar should be focused on the game of football.
The record-setting five-time champions' statement follows one from CONMEBOL, which urged "disagreements and conflicts" should "take a back seat" when the competition begins on Nov. 20.
Although Qatar have refuted allegations of worker exploitation, the country has come under strong scrutiny over its mistreatment of migrant employees, restrictive social policies, and LGBTIQ rights. As a result, many participating teams have expressed concern.
"We firmly concur that extra-football should work with FIFA, the Qatari government, and other organizations.
In the knowledge that football can be a vehicle for good change in society all across the world, issues are being addressed "in a statement, the CBF.
"FIFA always stresses that supporters will have the chance to come together and live in harmony throughout this event, regardless of their nationality, religion, or sexual orientation, thanks to football's ability to unite all people for a football played without bias.
An open letter to enhance migrant workers' rights in Qatar was published last week by the football associations of ten European nations, including Germany and England.
All of these continue to add more controversy ahead of the tournament, with many nations seemingly divided about their morale stance on the World Cup holding in Qatar.
A key number of European nations have maintained that they will stand their ground and even defy FIFA if they have to, by wearing coloured armbands to show their support for the LGBTQ community, which is prohibited by law in Qatar.
Just recently, England boss Gareth Southgate categorically disclosed that it would be almost impossible to stop his side from commenting on political issues while at the tournament in Qatar.
“I think that’s highly unlikely,” Southgate said at a news conference.
“We have always spoken about issues we think should be talked about, particularly the ones we feel we can affect. Contrary to one or two observations in the last few weeks, we have spoken in the same way other nations have spoken about this tournament, the human rights challenges. We’ve been very clear on our standpoint on that.
Away from the brilliant show of football we will witness on the pitch. It would be interesting to see how the off-pitch matters progress and how several sides will adapt to the laws in the Middle-East nation, or perhaps defy them as well.
