FIFA urges World Cup participants not to be "dragged into ideological battles"

The International Football Association (FIFA) appealed to the teams participating in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to focus on the game and not drag it into ideological or political battles.

The International Football Association (FIFA) wrote to the teams participating in the soccer World Cup, urging them to focus on football in Qatar and not allow the sport to be dragged into "ideological or political battles".

The message of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the Secretary-General of the Federation, Fatma Samoura, comes after a number of protests issued by World Cup teams, over several issues that have surfaced recently, most notably gay rights.

In the letter addressed to the 32 countries participating in the FIFA World Cup, and carried by Sky News, Infantino and Samora said, "Please, let us now focus on football."

"We know that football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature throughout the world, but please do not allow football to be drawn into every ideological or political battle that exists," they added in the letter.

The World Cup, the first to be held in the Middle East, begins on November 20.

"At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without giving moral lessons to the rest of the world," Infantino said in the letter.

He continued, "One of the world's greatest strengths is indeed its diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means respect for that diversity. No people, culture or nation are 'better' than others."

"This principle is the bedrock of mutual respect and non-discrimination. This is also one of the core values ​​of football. So, please, let's all remember that and put football in focus."