Klopp exploded, again not in control, possible sanction under consideration

The Liverpool manager escaped an FA sanction, but could not now avoid punishment

05/11/2022, 07:41 AM +00:00

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said on Friday that players and coaches should not be repeatedly asked to stand up for human rights and migrant workers in Qatar because nothing was done when Qatar won the 2022 World Cup 12 years ago. Klopp, who revealed he will not be going to the World Cup, believes it is time for the coaches and players to be allowed to work, without extraneous issues that are not their responsibility.

Qatar has been blamed in recent years for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws, leading many participating teams to express concern, although the World Cup host country (which kicks off on 20 November and ends on 18 December) has denied claims that workers are exploited. Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host a World Cup, but suspicions of corruption in the awarding of the venue were raised early on.

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However, with less than three weeks to go until the tournament, Klopp said it was time to let the players and coaches concentrate on their jobs rather than being the standard-bearers for protests. "I don't like the fact that now the players from time to time find themselves in a situation where they have to send a message," the German coach told the media.

"(We are) now saying to the players, 'you have to wear this armband or if you don't then you are not on this side. And if you do, you are on this side,'" Klopp said. "It's not right. Footballers have to go to Qatar to play and do the best they can for their countries. But they (the players) have nothing to do with the circumstances. We all let it happen... it's there and it's OK. Because 12 years ago nobody did anything. We can't change it now," said Klopp, who said he will not go to the World Cup.

'I am not a politician'

"The way it (the choice of venue) happened was not right in the first place. But now this is there. Let the players play and let the coaches work." Klopp also said: "Don't put Gareth Southgate (England manager) constantly in a situation where he has to talk about everything. I'm not a politician, he's not a politician. He is the England manager, let him do that.