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England, Wales FAs to ignore FIFA calls to 'focus on football'

England, Wales FAs to ignore FIFA calls to 'focus on football'
© Reuters
The English and Welsh FA will ignore FIFA's please to 'focus on football' after releasing a joint statement with eight other European federations.

The English and Welsh FA have responded to FIFA's pleas to "focus on football" at the World Cup.

Following concerns about Qatar's treatment of migrant workers and the country's human rights record, FIFA reportedly sent out a letter last week to the countries participating in the World Cup.

In the letter, FIFA said: "Please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists."

The English and Welsh FA have since responded with a joint statement alongside eight other European federations as part of the UEFA working group on human and labour rights.

The 10 European nations recognise that Qatar are working on improving working conditions as well as saying LGBTQ+ fans would be welcome to the tournament.

Although, the statement goes on to say: "We also recognise that every country has issues and challenges, and we agree with FIFA that diversity is a strength.

"However, embracing diversity and tolerance also means supporting human rights. Human rights are universal and they apply everywhere.

"FIFA has repeatedly committed to deliver concrete answers on these issues - the compensation fund for migrant workers, and the concept of a migrant workers centre to be created in Doha - and we will continue to press for these to be delivered.

"We also recognise that every country has issues and challenges, and we agree with FIFA that diversity is a strength. However, embracing diversity and tolerance also means supporting human rights. Human rights are universal and they apply everywhere."

As well as England and Wales, the UEFA group includes Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland and two nations who failed to qualify for the World Cup, Norway and Sweden.

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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal14121133112237
2Manchester CityMan City14102240142632
3Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1586129111830
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs1592431211029
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd148242020026
6Liverpool1464428171122
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton146352319421
8Chelsea146351717021
9Fulham155462426-219
10Brentford154742325-219
11Crystal Palace145451518-319
12Aston Villa155371622-618
13Leicester CityLeicester155282525017
14Bournemouth154471832-1416
15Leeds UnitedLeeds144372226-415
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham154291217-514
17Everton153571117-614
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest153481130-1913
19Southampton153391327-1412
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves15249824-1610

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