Atlanta, USA (CNN) – FIFA has urged participating countries in the 2022 World Cup to focus on football when the tournament kicks off in Qatar on November 20.
FIFA has confirmed to CNN that the letter, signed by the Swiss president, Gianni Infantino, and by the general secretary of the federation, Fatma Samoura, has been sent to the 32 countries participating in the world event, without revealing its content.
And the British channel, “Sky News”, ran a service claiming to have seen the message, which said: “Please, let’s focus on football now.”
The letter also said: “We know that football does not live in a vacuum, but we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature around the world.”
And FIFA added: “Please don’t allow football to get involved in the current ideological or political battle.”
The message came after protests by teams participating in the tournament over the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar and concerns about gay rights in the Gulf state.
An FA spokesperson confirmed to CNN that this letter had been received, without disclosing what it was.
