Mark Warburton believes that Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe should only answer questions related to football after he was asked about mass executions in Saudi Arabia. However, the Queens Park Rangers manager has claimed that Howe still does understand the 'shocking' events that are going on around the world.
Howe insisted he would 'stick to football' in the aftermath of Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Chelsea, despite being pressed on the subjected on several occasions. It is a stance the he has stuck to since his appointment at St James' Park in November.
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher argued that Howe should answer questions surrounding Saudi Arabia, while Simon Jordan highlighted 'hypocrisy' and 'virtue-signalling' in a number of the accusations that have since been levelled against the Newcastle boss. However, Warburton took a different stance and admitted that it is difficult for Howe to speak about those subjects.
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He told talkSPORT : "We're living in some troubled times and football must take a backseat considering some of the events that are going on globally in Eastern Europe, for example. I fully appreciate that and I understand the focus that's on regimes and managers being asked about dirty money as it is being referred to.
"I think Eddie Howe is stood up there as manager of a Premier League club to speak about football. And I was disheartened to hear some of the questions being put to him and the headlines.
"For me, I saw Howe, Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola being named as well and they represent their clubs with dignity and respect and I feel they are being taken to areas which I don't think is appropriate right now. That does not for one second understate the importance of the global events that are going on at this moment in time.
"There's some shocking events going on globally and they can answer those questions. But I think everyone understands what people are going through around the world right now.
"I just think when football managers go up there, they aren't saying they're ignoring the problems, but they're being told to speak about football. If they want to have the politicians go up or the club's board or whatever, that's a different proposition. But I'm sure when Eddie Howe comes out to speak, he comes out to speak about football and I think people realise that."
