QATAR HEROES
Southgate urges stars to focus on World Cup glory
GARETH SOUTHGATE has given England’s players a rousing speech – telling them World Cup places are at stake.
The Three Lions boss called a team meeting as soon as the players reported at St George’s Park and reminded them the journey to next year’s finals begins now.
England start their qualifying campaign against San Marino tomorrow night, then travel to Albania on Sunday before next Wednesday’s clash with Poland.
Southgate has been concerned about the gruelling Premier League fixture list, widespread injury absences and a tough run-in ahead of the Euros. England are missing the
he had felt like a “prisoner” there.
The response came amid increasing calls within Holland to boycott the finals in response to human rights violations in Qatar.
Over 6,500 migrant workers – including those working on the building of stadia – have died in the past 11 years.
Wijnaldum said: “It’s a big topic.
“We have talked about it now, also with the KNVB (Dutch federation) and Amnesty International, and we believe we should go to have a greater impact on change.
“If we make a plan with other countries to pay attention to it, then that is better.
“Now it is still difficult to say how we should do that.
“We have yet to qualify. As the World Cup gets closer, that will become clearer.”
De Boer played in Qatar towards the end of his career and admitted having to hand over his passport, saying: “I was not allowed to just leave. I was also a kind of prisoner.”
Norway players are preparing a gesture in support of migrant workers in Qatar when they face Gibraltar in Marbella tonight.