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Norway's National Team Take A Stand Against Human Rights Breaches In Qatar

Norway's National Team Take A Stand Against Human Rights Breaches In Qatar

Norway's players wore t-shirts with the words "HUMAN RIGHTS - on and off the pitch" before the World Cup qualifier.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Norway players staged a protest against the human rights issues in Qatar ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar.

A recent report from The Guardian uncovered that 6,500 foreign workers have died in Qatar since 2010 - 37 of them while building stadiums for the 2022 World Cup.

Outraged by the human rights abuse, Norway decided to take a stand by wearing t-shirts containing the words "HUMAN RIGHTS - on and off the pitch" as they lined up this evening.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Captain Martin Ødegaard and manager Ståle Solbakken had announced Norway would be making a statement prior to the game.




"We're working on something concrete," Solbakken said in a pre-match press conference.

"It's about putting pressure on FIFA to be even more direct, even firmer with the authorities in Qatar, to impose stricter requirements."

Speaking to the media, Arsenal loanee Odegaard added: "I have the impression that a lot of (players) are interested in this, care about it and want to do something to try and contribute in a good way."

There have been serious discussions about Norway boycotting the tournament altogether should they qualify, with a future meeting within the NFF (Norwegian Football Federation) in June ultimately determining the final decision.

It's estimated the NFF would lose out on around £8 million in revenue if they went ahead with the boycott.

Norway haven't been involved in a major international tournament since Euro 2000 and have been placed in a qualifying group alongside Netherlands, Turkey, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar.

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Topics: 2022 World Cup, Football, World Cup, Norway