GIVE PLAYERS A WORLD CUP SAY

PFA boss Maheta Molango believes players should have a say on who gets the World Cup.

Molango insisted if players were expected to give an opinion on Qatar 2022, migrant workers and human rights then they should have been given a voice.

Qatar was a hugely controversial choice to host the World Cup while Saudi Arabia are gunning for the 2030 tournament.

And Molango believes players should be involved in the decision making process.

He said: “If people want players to have an opinion then involve them in the decision, then you can hold them to account as much as you want.

Wrong

“I think the players will be divided because they would have liked certain aspects like the one city tournament, the organisation but the road to the World Cup — which was decided before many of them were even playing — was wrong.

“They were not part of the decision on the (One Love) armband either but were expected to have an opinion.

“We represent everyone, not just English players but a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. We should respect everyone.”

Molango also says safety among players must be prioritised and the trouble at the end of the North London derby, when a Tottenham fan kicked Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale, was a reminder that the problem has not gone away.

Former Brighton defender Molango (right), who was also chief executive of Real Mallorca, said: “The pitch is their workplace. Everyone expects to go to work without being attacked no matter how good or badly you perform.

“I was a CEO of a club myself, and much of it comes down to investmen: in stewards, security and to make sure the training is appropriate.

“The players are concerned here and they should be able to go to work feeling safe.”

Molango is modernising the PFA and that could also be underlined by the election of its first ever female chair, with Manchester City defender Steph Houghton among the favourites to succeed John Mousinho after he departed to become Portsmouth boss.

But Molango insisted Houghton should be judged on her strengths rather than her gender.

He added: “She’s an unbelievable football player. If she’s picked, it will not be because she’s a woman but because she’s good.

It’s important that people have the right skill set and she certainly has. But so do a number of other people.”