‘Things are very disappointing’: Eric Dier raises concerns about Qatar’s migrant workers crisis as he admits players shouldn’t be the ones facing questions about the country’s human rights record
- England’s Eric Dier has voiced his concerns about Qatar’s World Cup hosting
- The defender believes players shouldn’t be the ones facing political questions
- Dier insisted the situation was ‘difficult for players’ to handle in Qatar
- The Spurs star is in contention to start England’s opener against Iran on Monday
Eric Dier has vowed to learn more about the political circumstances marring the upcoming World Cup in Qatar as he admitted players featuring in the tournament ‘can’t hide’ from the humanitarian issues encompassing the event.
Efforts to build state-of-the-art stadiums in Qatar ahead of the global competition have seen human rights campaign groups slam the country’s government for mistreating migrant workers involved in World Cup preparations.
Workers have died while working on stadium developments in the middle-eastern nation with the real number of deaths expected to be much higher than the three quoted by the Qatar government and FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.
England’s Eric Dier was questioned about Qatar’s awarding of the World Cup on Saturday
The England defender admitted players have been forced into a ‘difficult situation’
Ahead of England’s opening World Cup group b game against Iran on Monday, Dier admitted players were being placed in a ‘difficult’ situation with the media as questions about FIFA’s decision to host the tournament in Qatar and the nations’ political policies continues to dominate press conferences.
The Spurs centre-back said:
‘It’s very difficult for players,’ the England centre-back said. ‘We come here and know these topics are going to be addressed. I was looking today because I thought I would probably get this kind of question.
Issues surrounding Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup have dominated discussions
‘The World Cup was awarded to Qatar in 2010. I was 16 at the time. We have absolutely no say in where we play. Those decisions are made by people way above us and we’re the ones who end up answering these kind of questions.
‘It’s disappointing. I carry the values I’ve been given by my family. At the same time I respect wherever I go.
Dier is hoping to start England’s opener against Iran on Monday
‘We’ve been here a very short time so for me it’s important to live this experience and have a much better idea of what to say on it. A lot of things have already happened – a lot of things are very disappointing.
‘Those will always be in my mind. But as a team we carry certain values and no matter where we go we’ll carry those values. At the same time we’ll respect everywhere we go.’
The 28-year-old England international further revealed he see’s himself continuing in football once he decides to hang up his boots but cooled any discussion about stepping into a role with FIFA.
‘I am 28,’ he said. ‘I have a long time to play. I am very interested. I have this conversation a lot with friends within football about the future. I am definitely interested in staying in football,’ said Dier.
‘It is my passion. I am not really into politics too much. I don’t know if I have the right thing for it. It is really important that football is in the right hands and looked after in the right way because it means so much to so many people.’
Dier pondered why tournament decision-makers weren’t being asked the tough questions
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