Everton manager Frank Lampard believes players going to the World Cup should be able to choose whether they want to speak out or not on the off-the-field issues that have dogged the build-up to the tournament without being judged either way. Host Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers but the sport’s governing body FIFA has written to all 32 teams competing in the finals telling them to “now focus on the football.”
Lampard said: “I think it’s the prerogative of either individuals or countries or teams if they feel strongly enough about something that they can speak up, I think that’s fine, I think that’s right. It’s sort of expected but I also respect the privacy of people who don’t want to and want to go and play football, I don’t think that makes you a bad person.
“I think you have a right to speak up or not if you’re in the public eye. I think the World Cup being in Qatar was always going to bring up these issues and I think bringing them up is a good thing generally going forward, that’s my opinion on it as Everton manager.”
