Finland captain Tim Sparv urges fellow players to speak up over Qatar World Cup

Tim Sparv has urged his fellow footballers to “keep talking” about the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

And Sparv has suggested that it is not too late to change future decisions and improve lives.

“We players are going to be the public face of a tournament over which we have no control. So I have wanted to know more — I have even spoken directly to migrant workers. And I can tell you this much: They appreciate and feel encouraged by the fact that someone is supporting and empowering them.

“I know I’m writing this article many years too late. I’m still thinking, ‘Ah! Could we not have addressed this five years ago?’ Maybe we could have changed some of the decisions that were taken, and improved the conditions for the migrant workers.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first ever played outside of May, June or July.

The tournament has been shifted to November and December due to the intense summer heat in Qatar.

Qatar has adopted new labour reforms since 2015 to improve working conditions, including a minimum wage for all workers, which was announced last August.

Sparv believes that boycotting the tournament would be the wrong approach, though he and the Finland squad have discussed what they can do.

“I’ve got to applaud Marcus Rashford,” Sparv continued. “He’s so young but he has already changed his country. He was a superstar before. Now he has become an icon. I hope players look at him and go, ‘Should I not be doing more, too?’

“It’s not like we footballers have to be silent, like in the past. We can publish our thoughts whenever we wish, and when we do, the media writes about it. The fans and the public read it. We have more influence than ever before — we just have to use it.

“So I would encourage other players to be brave. Qatar isn’t even a political topic, it’s a humanitarian one. If nothing else, just highlight it. Bring it to people’s attention.

“Saying something is so much better than saying nothing.”

Finland are currently second in UEFA Group D in World Cup qualifying having played three group games.

They play leaders France on Tuesday 7 September.