FLAMENGO boss Jorge Jesus has hit out at Qatar stating the 2022 World Cup should be played elsewhere.
The Portuguese was speaking after his team narrowly lost to Liverpool in the Fifa Club World Cup final in Doha and claimed the World Cup “should be played in a country that actually loves football.”
Flamengo coach Jorge Jesus has hit out at Qatar claiming a country who ‘actually love football’ should host the 2022 World CupCredit: AP:Associated Press
Roberto Firmino’s extra time winner denied the Brazilian side after they beat River Plate in the Copa Libertadores final in dramatic fashion to reach the tournament.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp ducked questions about Qatar’s human rights record when asked ahead of the tournament claiming he was the “wrong person to ask”.
But Jesus was far more bold when asked about the nation’s suitability to stage football’s biggest tournament.
He said: “The organisation is very good in Qatar.
“But with all due respect, a World Cup has to be played in a country that loves football.”
On a dramatic night at the Khalifa International Stadium, the Reds wasted plenty of chance to beat Jesus’ side in normal time and were denied an injury-time penalty.
Liverpool had been handed the 91st-minute spot-kick by Qatar ref Taleb Al Jassim for a foul on Sadio Mane by Flamengo defender Rafinha.
But after being urged to check his TV screen, the official insisted there had been no foul and Rafinha had his yellow card rescinded.
And though VAR proved any contact was outside the box anyway, the ref enraged Klopp and Co by bizarrely giving the Brazilians a drop-ball.
Instead, it was left to Brazilian striker Roberto Firmino to break the hearts of 40million fans who support Flamengo in his own country as he hit the winner in the first period of extra-time.
Liverpool Win FIFA Club World Cup, becoming world champions for first time in their 127 year history
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
