Christian Eriksen was caught off guard when discussing the controversial 2022 World Cup in Qatar after Manchester United teammate Bruno Fernandes suddenly slammed FIFA in a post-match interview.
The United duo had just helped their side to a dramatic 2-1 win away at Fulham on Sunday in their final Premier League match before the hotly-debated tournament beings, with Eriksen scoring the Red Devils' opening goal.
As distressing stories surrounding Qatar's abhorrent record on human rights continue to emerge and shroud the World Cup in further controversy in the lead-up to kick-off next Sunday, Fernandes boldly spoke out against FIFA's decision to award them with the competition back in 2010 and schedule it during the last two months of the year as opposed to summer.
Eriksen appeared to be surprised by the timing of his teammate's comments, as Fernandes told Sky Sports: "It's strange. It's not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup. I think for everyone, players and fans, it's not the best time. Kids will be at school, people will be working and the timings will not be the best for people to watch the games.
"We know the surroundings of the World Cup, what has been in the past few weeks, past few months, about the people that have died on the construction of the stadiums. We are not happy about that at all.
"We want football to be for everyone, everyone has to be included and involved in a World Cup because a World Cup is the world. It's for everyone, it doesn't matter who. These kind of things I think should not happen at any time. But for a World Cup it's more than football, it's a party for fans, players, something that's a joy to watch, should be done in a better way."
Eriksen agreed with Fernandes, but the Dane was less up-front about his feelings and put it on others to make a change. "I totally agree with Bruno. A lot of things have been written about it being in Qatar," Eriksen began. "We are footballers, the politics is something above us. We try to say our thing and do what we can but the change has to come from above us."
The Denmark international, who suffered a cardiac arrest 18 months ago and has since made it his career ambition to represent his country at another major tournament, went on to say: "I've worked hard for the World Cup and can't wait for it. It's been mentioned a lot. No matter where it is, it's football. We've qualified, and we're just going to play football."
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In previous interviews, Eriksen has criticised FIFA's "mistake" relating to Qatar, with Denmark among the most vocal national teams when it comes to showing their disgust at the Gulf nation's restrictive social laws and treatment of migrant workers.
"It was a decision from FIFA, and they said themselves that it was wrong that the World Cup came to Qatar, that's where the mistake started," the 30-year-old told Norwegian broadcaster NRK, via Reuters, earlier this week. "But to set us players up as politicians, that is something we will never be.
"We are soccer players that play for the national teams that are a part of FIFA and FIFA chooses to play in Qatar. So where are the limits, and what are the possibilities? We are there as soccer players and, politically, we do what we can. But there is not so much we can do, we just want to play soccer."
