sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
"People have died!" - Ian Wright feels 'very conflicted' being at the World Cup
Home>Football
Published 15:02 21 Nov 2022 GMT

"People have died!" - Ian Wright feels 'very conflicted' being at the World Cup

Wright is part of ITV's coverage.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Ian Wright has admitted he's 'conflicted' about covering the World Cup in Qatar for ITV Sport.

The former England and Arsenal striker is part of ITV's coverage of the tournament, which kicked off on Sunday with Ecuador's 2-0 win over Qatar.

Since being awarded the right to host the World Cup in 2010, Qatar has been investigated regarding the death of migrant workers who helped build the stadiums.

Independent sources have reported over 6000 fatalities in the building process, while Qatar state there have only been three recorded deaths.

Advert

Wright spoke passionately about arriving in Qatar and driving through the streets of Doha.

He paid respects to the 'families that have been destroyed' while criticising the government.

"[I feel] very conflicted if I am being totally honest. When I got to the airport on Saturday, seeing the fans singing you start to feel what is going to happen," the 59-year-old said.

"Then you simply have to stop yourself because you know what has happened, you've seen the cities and how quickly they went up and you know that people have died building those stadiums.

A stadium being constructed in Qatar. (Image
Alamy)

"Then you think of the families, lives destroyed, families destroyed, and then you think of the compensation, the lack of commitment towards the victims."

FIFA president Giovanni Infantino defended the tournament being held in Qatar on the eve of the tournament.

Homosexuality remains illegal in the country. Qatari officials have stressed LGBT+ supporters will be safe and welcome should they choose to attend games.

"This could be a pivotal moment in our society in that we can really begin to effect change."@IanWright0 and @RobsonKanu provide their thoughts on the controversy surrounding the World Cup in Qatar 🗣#ITVFootball | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/7HyjiqbxNM

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 20, 2022

Wright continued: "It's very sad. We are talking about a regime of people that has said everybody is welcome, football is for everybody.

"But the reassurances they have given, you have to hope they can honour them because it is a sad situation for people who want to come and don't feel safe. Time will tell."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy & ITV

Topics: England, Ian Wright, Qatar

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

'I wanted to give back to the sport that gave me everything' - Ashley Cole is finding himself in first manager jobGettyAn interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'Getty ImagesMichael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
13 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    8 hours ago

    Denmark manager Brian Riemer breaks silence on Christian Eriksen collapse

    Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during a friendly against Ukraine on Sunday.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    10 hours ago

    Denmark vs Ukraine friendly abandoned after Christian Eriksen collapses on pitch

    Eriksen clutched his chest and fell to the ground during the match. He is now conscious.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    11 hours ago

    Man Utd face Ederson transfer delay as he receives World Cup call-up following injury

    The midfielder will join up with Brazil's 26-man squad ahead of their World Cup opener against Morocco.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    13 hours ago

    Scotland cancel friendly just days before World Cup as worrying update emerges

    They were scheduled to face Norway in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Monday.

    Football
  • Laura Woods Appears To Collapse Live On-Air As Ian Wright Moves In To Catch Her
  • Ian Wright Breaks Silence on 'Worrying' Laura Woods Collapse And Provides Update
  • ITV announce pundits for Women's Euro 2025 as only one of Eni Aluko and Ian Wright included
  • Ian Wright Claims Jude Bellingham Critics 'Not Ready for Black Superstar'