Norwegian players wear T-shirts with slogans in protest against the Qatari human rights situation

Norwegian players wore T-shirts with the words ‘Human Rights on and off the field’ before qualifying for the 2022 World Cup against Gibraltar to show support for Qatari migrant workers.

Players also wore T-shirts with the words ‘Respect the field and off it’ as they warmed up in Marbella.

The World Cup should start in Qatar on November 21 next year.

Norway won their opening group G 3-0.

FIFA’s world football governing body has said Norway will not face “disciplinary action” over the protest.

“Fifa believes in freedom of speech and in the power of football as a force for good,” the statement said.

It was the latest and highest show of dissatisfaction in Norway towards Qatar, which is hosting the World Cup.

Earlier in March, first-placed Tromso called on the Norwegian FA to consider a boycott of the World Cup if they qualified. Numerous other Eliteserien clubs then made similar demands.

Clubs were urged to act report in the Guardian last month stating that 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since the 2010 World Cup.

In response to that report, the Qatari organizing committee said: “We deeply regret all these tragedies and have investigated every incident to ensure lessons learned. We have always maintained transparency on this issue and disputed incorrect claims about the number of workers who died on our projects. . “

The Qatari government said that “the mortality rate among these communities is within the expected range for the size and demographic data of the population.”

The country controversially beat rival offers from the United States, Australia, South Korea and Japan to host the tournament, and hundreds of thousands of construction workers arrived from abroad.

Qatar has built seven new stadiums to set up the tournament, which has been relocated for the winter to avoid the extreme summer heat in the country.

Earlier this week, Amnesty International called on Fifa to put pressure on Qatar promised labor reforms before the tournament.

In a four-page letter to Fife President Gianni Infantino, the human rights organization says “urgent and concrete action” is needed.

In response, the Qatari government said it was “committed to working closely with its international partners, including Amnesty International, to protect all workers and ensure that the new laws are effectively and enforced.”

The Football Association said in a statement that it acknowledged that there was “evidence of some progress” in improving conditions for migrants, but said more work needed to be done.

“We work closely with everyone to ensure that, if we qualify, we approach our participation in the upcoming World Cup in a socially responsible way,” it adds.

Netherlands head coach Frank de Boer said participation in Qatar if they qualify for the World Cup “can better promote the goal”, but added that talks to boycott the event are justified.

“A lot of attention is now focused on whether we should go there if we qualify,” he said before their 2022 World Cup qualifiers began with a surprising 4-2 defeat by Turkey on Wednesday.

“It’s right to ask that question. Everyone knows what’s going on there is not good.”