'This is complicated' - Gareth Southgate suggests any Qatar World Cup boycott would not achieve anything

Gareth Southgate has said he does not know what any boycott of the World Cup in Qatar by England would achieve. Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup caused huge controversy when it was announced, and it has not died down. Ad/> With the World Cup looming large on the horizon, Qatar’s record on human rights as well as its use of migrant labour are big talking points.

International friendliesSaka leaves England camp after testing positive for Covid-19YESTERDAY AT 17:33 Southgate is aware of the issues, but seemed to suggest any boycott would not achieve anything. «I don't really know what that achieves,» the England coach said when asked about a possible boycott by England. «It would be a big story, but the tournament would go ahead.

»The fact, unfortunately, is the biggest issue, which is non-religious and non-cultural, is what happened with the building of the stadiums and there is nothing we can do about that either, sadly. «We have known for eight years that this is going to be in Qatar. Is the stance against Qatar as a country? We are intertwined, as we are seeing with Russia, with all sorts of investment in this country.

»This is complicated. The issues themselves aren't complicated; all the repercussions of diplomatic relations and dealing with other countries and other organisations are extremely complicated." Request made for Argentina to take Maradona's heart with them to World Cup in Qatar Van Gaal hits out at 'ridiculous' Qatar World Cup Southgate and his players have held sessions to discuss the issues in Qatar, and says they will take time to fashion their stance. «The players are thinking through how they best respond and try to affect the things we might be able to affect,» he said.