Wijnaldum: Nothing compares to racism

Georginio Wijnaldum is one of the most active players when it comes to the issue of racism. Liverpool midfielder has said before that he would walk off the pitch if a player was racially abused, but wasn’t so determined when asked about the issue of human rights violations of the migrant workers.

In fact, at the press conference before the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Turkey, Wijnaldum didn’t like the question from the journalist, who asked why is he not so active with the issue of human rights violations in Qatar, where the World Cup will be held. 

„I've been thinking about the question you asked about racism and Qatar. Do you really understand what you are doing? To compare the racism story with Qatar. You're basically saying that if someone is racist towards a brown person, then you shouldn't stand up for yourself. Because you are going to play football in Qatar… that is very wrong. Now you are actually saying that if you are racially abused, you are not allowed to stand up for yourself. It cannot be compared. I've been thinking about it and I think it's weird. I actually think you say that if that happens and you do it then you should do it here too. The racism story is very difficult“ said the Dutch midfielder.

The journalist was referring to the issue of human rights violations of the migrant workers. „The Guardian reported“ last month that more than 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have died in Qatar since it won the right to host the World Cup 10 years ago. Wijnaldum was asked why players hadn't taken a stance earlier, and the midfielder replied he only discovered the true extent of the country's human rights issue when he played there in the 2019 Club World Cup with Liverpool.

„It is very difficult. You have to do something about it. We have talked about it as players. We believe that we should travel if we qualify. We think that will have a greater impact on changing something there. It only really came up for me when we had to play the Club World Cup in Qatar with Liverpool. A lot of players are not aware of the situation in Qatar and it is difficult to make a statement. This is a different matter, but just like with racism, we must all do something about this. We have also not chosen to hold the World Cup in Qatar. We can pay attention to it. I think many people have not always been aware of the situation in Qatar. I knew that the KNVB did not agree with it at the time, but that number of 6,500 deaths. I did not know. I think that applies to a lot of players“ said Wijnaldum.