England face Hungary at Molineux on Tuesday in a 7.45pm kick-off in the Nations League; Captain Harry Kane has been in talks with Christian Eriksen and Hugo Lloris, among others, about collective action to highlight ongoing challenges in Qatar
Tuesday 14 June 2022 06:11, UK
Harry Kane is continuing to work with fellow national team captains on a collaborative approach to making a stand against human rights issues in Qatar.
Accusations over the treatment of migrant workers and a poor record of human rights have plagued the Gulf state since it was controversially awarded this winter's finals back in 2010.
World Cup organisers insist there have been "actually three" work-related deaths - amid reports of many more - since the construction of the majority of the stadiums began.
England boss Gareth Southgate previously said it is a "great shame" that sections of Three Lions supporters will not travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup and stressed that no-one was "complacent" about the issues involved.
He also hosted a 30-minute meeting with his squad in March, discussing the ongoing challenges in Qatar and opening a dialogue on how England could show their opposition.
As England skipper, Kane has also been playing a role and is hopeful of agreeing some steps with his counterparts before the next international break in September.
"Christian Eriksen got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago now," Kane said of the Denmark player and his former Tottenham team-mate.
"Obviously there is (Spurs' France captain) Hugo Lloris, who I am in touch with a lot anyway. So the discussion was there to maybe do something as a collective. When we come to a decision of something we want to do, for sure we will share it.
"I think it will be important to do it collectively. I feel like it will be a bit more of a stance, a bit more power.
"So there's no time time-frame on it but obviously the World Cup is coming thick and fast. We want focus to be on that."
Southgate added: "The FA are doing things. I know Harry has had conversations with some of the other captains. We think some collective standpoints would be important.
"We want to have that consistency, we don't want to have countries trying to outdo each other or pick each other off. They're trying to do something that would try to make a difference if possible. There's a lot going on behind the scenes."
