Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has expressed concerns about the FIFA Women’s World Cup going to Saudi Arabia in 2035.
The 47-year-old has responded to Monika Staab, technical director of the Saudi Arabian women's team, who publicly expressed the Kingdom's desire to host the competition at Leaders Week in London on Thursday.
It follows a wave of investment in football and a formal bid to host the 2034 men’s tournament, which they are largely expected to win.
However, being gay remains illegal in the Gulf state and could lead to capital punishment, life imprisonment or deportation.
Hayes, who has LGBTQ international players within her squad, feels the football needs reassurance about safety ahead of a potential Saudi Arabia bid.
She said: "It hasn't been on my radar this week but I think ultimately everyone has to be mindful that so many things have to be addressed before the competition is placed anywhere.
"There are always different challenges, however, to host a World Cup in Saudi there has to be some really high-level conversations about how it works; knowing your laws and thoughts on homophobia.
"I would hope the authorities are thinking of that and representing everyone across the women's game to make sure it is safe to go and play but also no one would be arrested for it.
"A lot of work has to be done before a decision is made on that."
Chelsea face Brighton this weekend in the Women’s Super League but are also the only English team in the Champions League group stage after Arsenal and Manchester United lost their qualifying matches.
Both clubs have publicly criticised the format of UEFA’s premier competition, which differs from the men’s game.
Hayes urges UEFA to rapidly reform and introduce a second-tier Europa League-type competition during the next media rights cycle that ends in 2024-25.
"Yes, probably [expansion] in the first instance, whatever that looks like. I think that makes the most sense and then a strategy for the Europa League probably comes next.
"But there's no denying it is preposterous for players to play at a major tournament, get off a plane and play a play-off tournament two weeks after. I've stated that the whole time.
"But I also don't want to disrespect teams across Europe, teams like Paris FC have put a lot in over a lot of time to be equally deserving of being in a group stage over this period.
"It's difficult to find the sweet spot of expanding and getting too many or not enough. It's probably the same in international tournaments.
"I think the question should be, why is it taking so long? I don't know why it is taking so long to get to that point, to be honest."
