The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) echoed FIFA’s message of focusing on the football at the World Cup in Qatar, saying the time has come for “disagreements to take a back seat” with the tournament kicking off in two weeks.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the sport should not be dragged into “ideological or political battles”, a message that CONMEBOL has got behind despite European nations urging the world soccer governing body to act on migrant workers’ rights.
“The CONMEBOL and its ten Member Associations calls on the football world to support the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” CONMEBOL said in a statement yesterday.
“This message (of sport) is powerful because it is universal, it goes far beyond political or ideological disputes, temporary disagreements and occasional confrontations.
“The time has come for disagreements and fights to take a back seat, let the games begin for all citizens (to) enjoy an all-embracing celebration, so eagerly awaited by our planet.”
