England captain Harry Kane wants to 'shine light' on Qatar issues

England captain Harry Kane says he wants to «shine a light» on issues around Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup will be held.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and there are strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

There are also concerns about the human rights record of a country that was awarded the World Cup in 2010.

«We know there have been some issues that have happened that aren't right, so it's going to be a mixed emotion [at the World Cup],» said Kane.

England manager Gareth Southgate has said it is a «great shame» some England fans will not travel to the World Cup as «there are the issues that potentially threaten» them.

He mentioned «the rights of women and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in particular».

Speaking to BBC Sport sports editor Dan Roan, Kane added: «All we can do, and me as a captain, is try to shine a light on those issues.

»The World Cup being in Qatar is definitely shining that light and it's important we try to make as much change as possible, not just for now but for the future as well."

Southgate and his squad held at a meeting about the issues in Qatar this week and Kane says the players will continue to have discussions «to try to help in any way we can to support those issues».

A report in the Guardian last yearexternal-link said 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since the World Cup was awarded 12 years ago.

Qatar did not comment on those figures, which it disputes, but has said: «We deeply regret all of these tragedies and investigated each incident to ensure lessons were learned.»

In November, Amnesty International released a report accusing the country of failing to implement its own laws designed to improve conditions for migrant workers.

The Qatar government has said it «rejects» Amnesty's assertion.

Norw