AMSTERDAM: Danish and Norwegian national team players have called for improved working and living conditions for migrant workers in Qatar.

Their statement is contaiend in a video produced, with the support of international footballers’ union FIFPro, by the Danish players’ association Spillerforeningen.

It features KC Kobenhavn’s William Kvist (Denmark) and Tom Høgli (Norway) as well as Mads Øland, director of Spillerforeningen and a FIFPro board member.

Hogli says: “Working conditions in Qatar are cruel. […] Safety is poor, the wages are horrible. Their passports are confiscated – and in many ways they live like slaves. The football world cannot accept that.”

Kvist adds: “The fact that thousands must die to build 12 fine stadiums for us has nothing to do with football.”

Øland urges world federation FIFA to “require that social clauses be observed, so that […] stadium and other facilities are built under conditions that respect the rights of wage earners.”

FIFA has indicated that concerns for human rights will be incorporated in the terms and conditions for World Cup hosts from 2026 onwards.

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