Bruno Fernandes speaks out against staging of Qatar World Cup

Dale O'Donnell

Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes (L) crosses the ball as Fulham's English-born US defender Antonee Robinson (R) attempts to block during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on November 13, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes has spoken out against the staging of the World Cup in Qatar.

Qatar has been subject to criticism due to the country’s track record for human rights abuse and it’s treatment of migrant workers. A lot has been written about Qatar’s discriminative LGBTQ+ laws yet it just feels like FIFA issued a middle finger to all of that for nothing other than sheer greed.

While I don’t think the players need to say anything — because it’s completely out of their hands — Australia has been the only team competing at the tournament to release a collective statement criticising the host country. The others have been wishy-washy on the topic.

But after United’s 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, Fernandes spoke out against the staging of the World Cup — becoming one of the first leading players to do so!

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Speaking to Sky Sports, Fernandes said (via The Mirror): “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.

“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.”

Fernandes will be joining up with the Portugal squad in Qatar this week.

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