England squad not ‘political spokespeople’ – PFA chief

England’s players are worried about being turned into “political spokespeople” at the World Cup, the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has said.

The tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, kicks off on 11 June.

But alongside the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, the build-up has seen rights groups raise concerns over issues such as the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s ability to welcome fans has been questioned after an outbreak of cartel violence sparked by the death of gang leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’.

Speaking to Sky News, the PFA’s Maheta Molango said England players had asked for guidance on how to handle calls to speak out when they come from rights campaigners and media organisations.

Some, Molango explained, feel they have previously been placed in a difficult position by being expected to comment on complicated social issues – for example, at the last World Cup in Qatar where LGBT rights came under the spotlight in a country where homosexuality can be punishable by death.

“We’re talking about people who are smart, who are socially conscious, people who understand that they don’t live in a bubble,” Molango said.

“However, what some of them have told me is that they found it a little bit unfair that, ultimately, for as much as they have a platform, why should they turn into spokespeople for governments or for governing bodies that in reality should be the ones taking the lead?

“I think some of them felt that in the past – and we’ve seen that, for example, in Qatar – some of them basically were hung out to dry.

“Because instead of having the government or having the governing body showing leadership on certain topics, all of a sudden the players were asked to become political spokespeople and that’s not what they are.

There were mass protests across the United States in January after two American citizens – Alex Pretti and Renee Good – were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota.

The United States government have tightened visa rules, implementing an outright ban on some nationalities entering the country.

While players “have a view” on issues, Molango said, they are often discussed “behind the scenes” until they feel comfortable speaking publicly.

“It is for them to use their platform when they deem it appropriate,” he suggested.

“They’re very conscious of what’s going on, they want to make a difference, but it needs to be on their own terms.

“It cannot be that they are forced to become political spokespeople because that’s not their job.

“Give the players a voice [on Fifa decisions] and they’ll be able to be held accountable, but you cannot just cherry-pick when it suits you to let the players have a choice. I think that’s unfair.

“Football needs to be out of politics, football needs to cater for everyone and should never be perceived as being siding with one side or the other, irrespective of what we may think morally,” added Molango.