England players and Gareth Southgate are in a tough position with Qatar and the answer is not so simple as ‘don’t play’
WE live in a world where everyone wants black and white but the beauty in the conversation is the grey area.
There are those who will argue that, as a player, if you are coming out and talking about Qatar’s human rights records and how disgusted you are, then do something about it and boycott the tournament — or shut up.
But you can voice an opinion, or not choice to voice it, on Qatar and still go and play in a World Cup.
I respect the likes of Jordan Henderson massively for speaking openly and facing the tough questions on such a complex subject.
Yet people want someone like him to only be one way or the other and say, ‘I’m not going to Qatar’ — but real life isn’t always like that.
You sometimes have to compromise, putting your point of view across but in a way where you keep alive your chances of playing in the biggest competition in the world.
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You have to understand that, despite what is going on in Qatar, these players have careers, dreams and families and have been working towards this their whole lives.
Everyone is so nervous not to say the wrong thing but we need to have conversations that are open and fluid.
“Why do you think like that? What should we do? What are the arguments?”
That is how you understand and learn off people.
The bottom line is, the England squad or management didn’t choose the location.
You ask any England fan what they would give to go to Qatar and play in a World Cup for their country and not many would turn that down.
You have to put yourself in the shoes of the players.
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For many of them, this will be their last chance to play at a tournament like this.
They will have to accept they are going to upset some people back home and that, unfortunately, is the life of an athlete.
At the same time, if players are educated enough and are comfortable doing so, then they definitely have a duty and responsibility to at least try and talk about these sorts of issues in the right environment and in the correct manner.
Answering questions like this is part of being a footballer nowadays.
They are used to being in the firing line on a daily basis and should know what they are doing.
Yet we shouldn’t criticise those who decide to give stock answers or lean on their media representatives for help at times like this.
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Gareth Southgate does not get enough credit in these instances.
I have noticed in a few press conferences where if it is a tricky question, he will take the lead.
You can only really speak out when you are educated on the subject, or know what you are talking about. You need to do what feels right for you. To have an uneducated stab in the dark is dangerous.
Someone like Henderson doesn’t say something without researching it.
He is not silly. He knows what he is doing.
He knows how far he can push it but also knows he will go to Qatar as one of the more senior players in the squad.
He will have a responsibility to maintain a level of professionalism right the way through the competition because, PR wise, it may come across better.
And let’s be honest, once they’re there, it is all business.
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Questions about human rights issues, I imagine, will not be the main topic of conversation.
People will want to hear that England are doing well and competing to win the World Cup.