FIFA president Gianni Infantino has written to all 32 countries going to the World Cup to address growing concerns over Qatar.
Infantino has told England and the other nations going to the tournament they are aware of the issues but want to let football take centre stage. Football’s world governing body is facing a major backlash over the decision to stage it in Qatar because of human rights issues surrounding migrant workers, discrimination and also huge safety concerns over fans from the LGBT community.
It promises to be the most controversial World Cup in history but FIFA are stressing in the letter that the governing body remains an apolitical organisation and there are major problems facing the world and not just Qatar. The letter - signed by Infantino and general secretary Fatma Samoura - has also urged nations to focus on the tournament despite the huge storm in the build-up to the World Cup which starts on November 20.
