FA defends decision to back Saudi World Cup bid

The Football Association's determination to backmost Saudi Arabia's bid to big nan 2034 World Cup was "not difficult" aft organisers gave "a batch of commitments", its chair Debbie Hewitt says.

Saudi Arabia was confirmed arsenic big of nan men's tournament connected Wednesday by football's world governing assemblage Fifa.

Organisers person insisted everyone will beryllium welcome, but nan country has been criticised for its quality authorities violations, women's authorities abuses and nan criminalisation of homosexuality.

However, Hewitt told BBC Radio 5 Live that England's FA asked "a batch of questions" earlier supporting nan bid.

"It wasn't a difficult determination - I deliberation it was a very thorough process," added Hewitt.

"We spent a batch of clip pinch nan Saudis, knowing their attack to nan tournament.

"We asked a batch of questions, they gave america a batch of clip and they gave america a batch of commitments and I deliberation nan important point is that we will now activity pinch them complete nan adjacent 10 years starring up to nan tourney to make judge that those commitments are delivered - from some sides."

The FA met pinch nan Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) past month to talk nan bid successful much detail. It said it was assured nan SAFF is committed to providing a safe situation for each fans - including LGBTQ+ supporters.

"We were reassured by nan answers that we comberan and deliberation this is astir a partnership," said Hewitt, who added nan FA would springiness organisers "the correct groups to consult with".

"A tourney is not conscionable astir nan host. A tourney is astir those who spell on and play their portion successful it and that's what we want to do."

The 2034 World Cup will beryllium nan 2nd to beryllium held successful nan Middle East - it was staged successful Qatar successful 2022.

Saudi Arabia's bumi opinionated was severely damaged by nan 2018 sidesplitting of Jamal Khashoggi, a US-based Saudi journalist who was a salient professional of nan government.

In a statement, Rodney Dixon KC, who antecedently represented Hatice Cengiz, nan widow of Khashoggi, said it was disappointing nan FA, on pinch nan Scottish and Welsh FAs - who besides backed Saudi's bid - had "merely followed nan crowd", alternatively than taking a stance against nan oil-producing kingdom's violations.

"They should bespeak connected their position and make usage of nan clip earlier nan 2034 World Cup to property for nan basal reforms successful country, failing which they should enactment together pinch each states that guidelines for cosmopolitan quality authorities to retreat nan tourney from Saudi Arabia," Dixon added.

England coach Thomas Tuchel, speaking astatine nan tie for nan 2026 World Cup qualifiers, said he backed nan FA's stance.

"The federations made their votes, nan determination is done," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I americium afloat down nan connection of nan FA, and from location connected I deliberation a coach has besides nan correct to beryllium a coach, and players person nan correct to beryllium players."

Tuchel, who will return complaint officially successful January, was besides asked astir nan anticipation of nan World Cup being moved to nan winter.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup was played from 20 November to 18 December because of nan stifling summertime power successful nan Middle East.

"We conscionable had a gathering pinch each nan different coaches," Tuchel said.

"I deliberation location is not a determination made, but nan coaches who were connected bumi work successful Qatar were very happy astir nan wintertime World Cup because players came successful November and December, truthful not aft a tiring play but successful nan mediate of it.

"The shot value successful Qatar was very high, truthful from this constituent of position everyone was very affirmative astir it, but I don't cognize if this is simply a script that tin beryllium repeated."

Dan Roan, BBC sports editor

The FA has travel nether unit to explicate really its support of nan LGBTQ+ organization done nan Rainbow Laces run is accordant pinch its backing of a tourney successful a state wherever homosexuality is illegal, and why it grounded to abstain from Wednesday's acclamation, for illustration Norway did.

It is truthful keen to emphasise nan commitments it claims it has received from nan Saudi authorities that LGBTQ+ fans will beryllium invited and safe.

However, immoderate whitethorn inquire really FA bosses tin beryllium truthful assured 10 years retired from nan event, and fixed nan 2022 World Cup successful neighbouring Qatar, erstwhile immoderate fans had rainbow-coloured items confiscated by stadium information staff, contempt Fifa's claims it had received assurances from nan authorities that would not happen.

Some elder FA officials are known to person been wary of accusations of hypocrisy if nan governing assemblage were not to support Saudi Arabia but past wanted England to participate successful its World Cup.

The FA whitethorn besides beryllium little inclined to return a stand, having caved successful to Fifa's threats of sporting sanctions successful Qatar, erstwhile it was among respective associations to wantonness plans for players to deterioration 'OneLove' armbands intended arsenic an anti-discrimination protest.

With a imaginable associated bid for nan 2031 Women's World Cup, nan British shot federations whitethorn person been keen to dengap a rift pinch Fifa.

And nan FA will besides person been alert of Saudi Arabia's value to nan UK authorities arsenic a cardinal state successful nan Middle East, pinch Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visiting nan country's crown prince this week successful a bid to fortify economical ties betwixt nan 2 countries.