England defender Eric Dier admits his expertise of the World Cup has been tarnished by the controversy surrounding host nation Qatar. With England’s opening sport in opposition to Iran simply two days away, Dier would often have been quizzed about his crew’s World Cup problem when he confronted the media on Saturday. However as a substitute the 28-year-old, enjoying in his second World Cup, was peppered with questions concerning the host of points involving Qatar which have overshadowed the build-up to the event.
To his credit score, the erudite Dier did not shirk the potential public relations minefield.
He tackled the deaths of migrant staff throughout World Cup building initiatives, the late choice to ban alcohol from most areas of stadiums and the row over whether or not or not crew captains will put on ‘OneLove’ rainbow armbands.
“It is extraordinarily tough for us as gamers. We all know these matters are going to be addressed,” Dier advised reporters at England’s coaching camp in Doha.
“Loads of issues have already occurred, issues which can be very disappointing. They’ll all the time be on my thoughts.
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“Within the constructing of the stadiums for instance. Clearly that is a horrible scenario.
“After all it is taken loads away (from the event), as a result of we’re sitting right here speaking about it as a substitute of the soccer. However we won’t disguise from it. It is right here. It might be improper to disregard it.”
On the choice by FIFA and Qatari officers to ban alcohol from stadiums, besides in hospitality areas for high-paying spectators, Dier mentioned: “Personally I might prefer to assume you may take pleasure in your self with out alcohol.
“It is as much as us on the pitch to supply the leisure. That is what will create the environment within the stadiums.”
‘Rules and values’
England captain Harry Kane remains to be set to put on a ‘OneLove’ armband in opposition to discrimination regardless of FIFA asserting plans for its personal armband in a rustic the place same-sex relationships are criminalised.
FIFA confirmed its armbands can be worn as a part of a partnership with United Nations companies.
However the Soccer Affiliation, who’re understood to be in search of readability on whether or not the armbands might be worn collectively, are believed to be able to help the ‘OneLove’ marketing campaign regardless
Such divisive matters can take gamers out of their consolation zone and Dier mentioned: “We’re footballers, not politicians. When the World Cup was awarded to Qatar in 2010, I used to be 16 on the time.
“These selections are made by folks approach above us. We are the ones who find yourself sitting right here having to reply these questions. As a crew we can’t change our ideas and values.”
Regardless of all of the controversy, Dier remains to be completely happy to be on the World Cup after he was left of the England squad that completed as European Championship runners-up final yr.
“Once I missed out on the Euros squad it was one of many worst moments of my profession. I used to be extraordinarily motivated to get again in and be right here on the World Cup,” he mentioned.
“We’re all human. I might be mendacity if I mentioned I did not assume that it was a chance I would not go. These ideas undergo your thoughts.
“In some ways it was good for me. It propelled me to play the most effective soccer of my profession.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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