International stars continue to protest against the human rights record of World Cup hosts Qatar as Holland join Erling Haaland and Co in making a stand by wearing T-shirts before kick-off in latest round of qualifiers
- Holland are the latest team to take a stand against Qatar’s human rights record
- Their players wore t-shirts saying ‘Football Supports Change’ before Latvia tie
- Norway and Germany both protested in a similar vein in their fixtures this week
Holland became the latest team to protest against Qatar’s human rights record before their World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Saturday.
A horrifying study, released last month by the Guardian, uncovered how 6,500 migrant workers have died since Qatar was awarded World Cup host status.
A number of nations have chosen to visibly take a stand during the latest round of international fixtures – with Holland following in the steps of Norway and Germany.
Holland became the latest team to protest against World Cup host Qatar’s human rights record
Norway’s players stood arm-in-arm during the national anthem on Wednesday and sported t-shirts emblazoned with the words: ‘Human Rights – on and off the pitch.’
Later in the week, before their tie against Iceland, Germany displayed their own message. The team wore black tops, each with a corresponding letter on.
Having then stood in a line, with their arms also interlinked, the powerful statement spelled out ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’.
Joining other countries, Holland’s players wore t-shirts which read ‘Football Supports Change’
Norway began the protests on Wednesday by demanding for human rights on and off the pitch
And the stance, seemingly growing in momentum due to the treatment of workers in Qatar ahead of next year’s tournament, has now been adopted by Holland.
Frenkie de Jong, Memphis Depay and their team-mates all posed for their photo ahead of kick-off wearing jerseys which read: ‘Football Supports Change.’
Around 5,000 spectators, allowed in after negative coronavirus tests, watched on as Holland then lined up still wearing the tops urging for more attention on the issue.
There have been fierce debates in several countries about raising awareness of the mistreatment of workers.
Stale Solbakken and his squad chose to continue their stance for their qualifier against Turkey
Norway’s t-shirts asked ‘next?’ after several nations joined them in protesting against the issue
In Norway, it was even discussed whether the national team should boycott the showpiece altogether.
Their players chose to keep on the same pre-match jerseys today – with boss Stale Solbakken again seen wearing the statement top under his smart attire.
Before the win over Gibraltar, Solbakken chose to address the issue.
‘It’s about putting pressure on FIFA to be even more direct, even firmer with the authorities in Qatar, to impose stricter requirements,’ he said.
Germany sported powerful jerseys which spelled out ‘HUMAN RIGHTS’ in their own protest
A committee has been created by Norway’s football association to look into what the country ‘should do to respond to Qatar’s handling of human rights in the country.’
Meanwhile, in Germany, a poll by outlet Der Spiegel concluded that 68 per cent of people believe boycotting Qatar 2022 is ‘about right’ or ‘absolutely right’.
It also discovered that 83 per cent of voters in the poll believe it is a mistake to hold the tournament in the country.