DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Netherlands is not expected to emulate Germany by gesturing to protest host nation Qatar’s human rights record ahead of the World Cup on Friday. match against ecuador
The players from Germany covered their mouths for a team photo before their match against Japan on Wednesday to protest FIFA’s crackdown on “One Love” armbands. Seven European teams, including the Netherlands and Germany, had planned to use the item in a move seen as a rebuke to Qatar.
Qatar has been criticized for its laws against homosexuality, as well as its treatment of migrant workers, who were needed to build stadiums, metro lines, highways and hotels.
Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries said the players will not do anything on the pitch on Friday because they feel they have done enough after meeting some migrant workers. directly.
“No no. We paid a lot of attention, as the coach said. We welcomed the migrant workers and it was a wonderful (moment) for both them and us,” Dumfries said through an interpreter on Thursday. “In the last two weeks we have we talked a lot (about human rights). We have said what we have to say, and from now on we must concentrate on football.”
It is unclear the exact number of migrant workers who have been killed or injured working on projects often in extremely hot conditions since FIFA chose Qatar to host the World Cup in December 2010. Definitive data has been difficult. to verify or have not been published by the authorities.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said the Dutch team will take no further action.
“Because we put an end to all political issues (last) Thursday when we invited migrants and we have this purpose,” Van Gaal said through an interpreter. “It’s been all about human rights (until now) and maybe rightly and maybe not rightly. But I think that’s enough.”
Germany’s gesture on Wednesday was a response to FIFA’s warning to the seven European federations that players would be penalized if they wore the colorful “One Love” armbands, which are seen as a symbol of inclusion and diversity.
Van Gaal was asked if he thought the German team would be affected on the pitch by his political gesture. The four-time World Cup champions lost to Japan 2-1 in their opening match.
“That’s the question. That’s the question,” Van Gaal said. “I don’t want to take that risk. We are here to become world champions.”
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