Real Madrid and Germany midfielder Tony Kroos have sharply criticized the 2022 World Cup host country Qatar in opposition to several European teams regarding the status of the Emirates. “I think awarding Qatar the World Cup was not a good thing for many reasons,” Kroes said in his podcast ‘Einfach Mal Luppan’ (Just Lob It), which he co-hosted with his Felix.
The 31-year-old midfielder said, “The first reason is the status of the workers … then the fact that homosexuality is punished and punished in Qatar … and also that it is not a country of football.”
“Many Qatari workers, but also foreigners, work without breaks, in temperatures that can reach 50 degrees (Celsius).
“They sometimes suffer from lack of food or drinking water, which is insanity in those temperatures.
“They have no medical coverage and there is a certain amount of violence against these workers.
“These are points that are completely unacceptable.”
Cross’s comments came after the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Norway protested by wearing T-shirts with messages such as “Human Rights” or “Football Support Changes” before the World Cup qualifier last week.
Several players confirmed that the protests were aimed at Qatar.
Qatar has faced criticism for its treatment of migrant workers, many of whom have been involved in preparations for the 2022 World Cup, with campaigners accusing employers of exploitation and forcing workers to work in dangerous conditions.
Qatari officials say that they have done more work than any country in the region to improve labor welfare.
Kroes, who helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup, explained why he is against the 2022 final boycott and said footballers should use their platform to make changes to Qatar.
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“World Cup visibility could draw even more attention to these problems” and “a boycott probably won’t change much about the situation for the workers there”, Kroes said.
The Madrid playmaker was injured in three qualifier matches for Germany last week.
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