LONDON: The Football Association resolved to express support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup after being reassured about local reaction to all fans from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

International governing body FIFA awarded the finals to the Saudis on Wednesday in the face of heavy criticism from human rights organisations.

FA chair Debbie Hewitt, who met Saudi representatives last month, told the BBC: “It wasn’t a difficult decision – I think it was a very thorough process. We spent a lot of time with the Saudis, understanding their approach to the tournament.

“We asked a lot of questions, they gave us a lot of time and they gave us a lot of commitments and I think the important thing is that we will now work with them over the next 10 years leading up to the tournament to make sure that those commitments are delivered – from both sides.

“We were reassured by the answers that we got and think this is about a partnership. A tournament is not just about the host. A tournament is about those who go along and play their part in it and that’s what we want to do.”

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