SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Qatar World Cup CEO wants to meet Southgate to discuss concerns

Southgate said this month it was a "great shame" there were issues stopping fans going to the World Cup, highlighting the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.

In Summary

• "Somebody with a lot of influence, such as Southgate, somebody with a big audience that listens to what he says, ought to pick his words very carefully," Al-Khater told Sky Sports on Wednesday.

• The World Cup draw is set to be held in Doha on Friday and Al-Khater said he wanted the opportunity to discuss the issues with Southgate.

Nasser Al Khater CEO, Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC speaks during an interview with the media in Doha
Nasser Al Khater CEO, Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC speaks during an interview with the media in Doha
Image: FILE

Qatar World Cup chief executive Nasser Al-Khater has called for a meeting with Gareth Southgate after the England manager said he is unhappy some fans will not feel safe travelling to the event due to concerns over human rights issues in the country.

Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state and there is also unease over women's rights, while a report by Amnesty International found that thousands of migrant workers in the country were being exploited, which Qatar has denied.

Southgate said this month it was a "great shame" there were issues stopping fans going to the World Cup, highlighting the rights of women and the LGBTQ+ community.

"Somebody with a lot of influence, such as Southgate, somebody with a big audience that listens to what he says, ought to pick his words very carefully," Al-Khater told Sky Sports on Wednesday.

"And I think that before making statements like that, when it comes to the workers, he needs to come here and speak to workers and understand what workers get out of being here."

The World Cup draw is set to be held in Doha on Friday and Al-Khater said he wanted the opportunity to discuss the issues with Southgate.

"... so I look forward to welcoming him here, I look forward to meeting him at the draw and he can listen to my opinion, he does not have to believe it, but at least he needs to go that far to understand different opinions and different cultures," he added.

List of countries qualified for the 32-team 2022 Qatar World Cup:

Africa

Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia.

Asia

Iran, Japan, South Korea, Qatar (as hosts), Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates will face Australia in a playoff in June, with the winner taking on Peru for another berth in Qatar.

Europe

Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland.

Wales will play Scotland or Ukraine to decide the final qualifier from Europe.

North, Central America and the Caribbean

Canada, Mexico, United States.

Costa Rica will face New Zealand in a playoff for a spot in Qatar.

Oceania

New Zealand head to the intercontinental playoff.

South America

Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay.

Peru to play the UAE or Australia for a spot in Qatar.