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Just minutes after finishing the last Premier League match before the World Cup, Manchester United pair Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen have questioned the decision to stage the tournament in Qatar.
- Manchester United players Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen have joined the chorus of criticism of Qatar ahead of the World Cup
- The pair, who play for Portugal and Denmark, have hit out at the timing of the World Cup and the treatment of migrant workers who built the venues
- World governing body FIFA has called on players to "focus on football" during the tournament, which starts on November 20
Fernandes said the World Cup "should be done in a better way", criticising the timing of the tournament and highlighting Qatar's treatment of migrant workers.
The Qatar World Cup — which starts next weekend — is the first to be played in November and December rather than in June-July because of the desert nation's searing heat in the northern summer months.
The Gulf state has also faced intense scrutiny of its treatment of the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who were needed since the World Cup hosting rights were won 12 years ago.
Amnesty International says dozens may have died from apparent heat stroke.
Qatar's views on homosexuality — which is criminalised in the country — has also been heavily criticised and the comments by Fernandes indicated players will not hesitate to speak up about issues.
"It's not exactly the time we want to be playing in the World Cup," Fernandes, who plays for Portugal, told Sky Sports after United's 2-1 EPL win over Fulham.
"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.
"But for a World Cup it's more than football, it's a party for fans, players, something that's a joy to watch. (It) should be done in a better way."
Eriksen, who will play for Denmark in Qatar after recovering from suffering cardiac arrest during a game at last year's European Championship, echoed Fernandes' comments.
"I totally agree with Bruno," said Eriksen, who scored Manchester United's opening goal in the Fulham victory.
"There is a lot of focus on it — how the World Cup has happened and why it is in Qatar.
"Everyone agrees it hasn't been done in the right way.
"We are footballers, we play football — politics is about something above us to make that decision.
"Of course we try to say our thing and do what we can. We want to get focus on it, but the change has to come from somewhere else."
FIFA has written this month to all 32 teams taking part in the World Cup, telling them to "focus on the football" in Qatar.
The letter, from FIFA president Gianno Infantino and secretary-general Fatma Samoura, said:
"We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.
"But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.
"At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world.
"No one people or culture or nation is 'better' than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination."
AP / ABC