Norway will NOT boycott 2022 World Cup despite protests led by star man Erling Haaland against Qatar's human rights record after 'spending many hours considering' and holding a vote
- The Norway FA have confirmed the team will not boycott the 2020 World Cup
- Norway have led the way with protests against human rights record of Qatar
- Team wore t-shirts in March prior to a World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar
- However, despite the stance Norway will still play in Qatar should they qualify
The Norway football association have confirmed the national side will not be boycotting the 2022 Qatar World Cup, despite their hand stance on the nation's human rights record.
The issue has been a contentious one for Norway for some time, with many of the countries top teams and players urging for the country to turn its back on the tournament to make a real statement.
In March, Norway players - led by star man Erling Haaland - wore t-shirts prior to their World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar,
Norway wore t-shirts protesting the human rights record of 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar
Players wore the shirts in the warm-up having felt compelled to try and bring about change - yet it has now been confirmed, after a vote, that Norway will not be boycotting the tournament
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The plain white shirts carried the message in block, black lettering: 'Human rights on and off the pitch.'
In recent days a vote was held among the top brass of Norway's football system, in which it was decided that the team would be continuing with the World Cup and pressing ahead to qualify and attend.
A Norway statement later read: 'Sunday’s extraordinary federal meeting spent many hours considering the Qatar issue. 368 voted in favour and 121 voted against the NFF board’s proposal.'
Manager Stale Solbakken wore a shirt demanding more 'respect' as Norway took a stand
The vote had been triggered by top-flight side Tromso, who tabled a motion that the national team should not attempt to qualify.
In March, Tromso publicly stated: 'Tromso IL thinks it is time for football to stop and take a few steps back. We should think about the purpose of football and why so many love our sport.
'That corruption, modern-day slavery and a high number of workers’ deaths are the fundament to our most important tournament, the World Cup, is totally unacceptable.'
At the time of the t-shirt protest in March, head coach Stale Solbakken - who also sported one of the shirts - told TV2: -'This is a little bit what we have been talking about, to put the focus on some of that that has been a discussion off the pitch.
'The boys were keen to do this and I am here as an example of that.'
Along with Norway, Germany have also worn t-shirts carrying protest messages against the Qatar regime, while Iceland and Holland have also made gestures.
