PFA boss Maheta Molango believes players should be involved in major decisions on who gets the World Cup.
Molango insists that if players were expected to give an opinion on Qatar, migrant workers and human rights then they should have been given a voice. Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Molango is campaigning hard to give players more of a say on the big issues as well as championing the need for better safety after Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale was attacked by a fan.
Molango is modernising the PFA and that could also be underlined by the election of its first ever female chair as Manchester City defender Steph Houghton is among the favourites to succeed John Mousinho after he departed to become Portsmouth boss.
Qatar was a hugely controversial choice as hosts of the 2022 World Cup and now Saudi Arabia are gunning for the 2030 tournament and Molango believes players should be involved in the decision making process.
Molango said: “If people want players to have an opinion then involve them in the decision then you can hold them to account as much as you want. I think the players will be divided because they would have liked certain aspects like the one city tournament, the organisation but the road to the World Cup - which was decided before many of them were even playing - was wrong.
“They were not part of the decision on the armband either but were expected to have an opinion. If you want them to have an opinion, give them a voice.
“We represent everyone. Not just English players but a variety of nationalities and backgrounds. We should respect everyone in the right way.”
Molango also says safety among players must be prioritised and the trouble at the end of the North London derby when a Tottenham fan kicked Arsenal keeper Ramsdale was a reminder that the problem has not gone away.
Former Brighton defender Molango, who was also chief executive of Real Mallorca, said: “The pitch is their workplace. Everyone expects to be able to go to work without being attacked no matter how good or badly you perform.
“The Ramsdale incident is just a reminder that we will have pitch invasions at the end of the season and begs the question: what are we doing to prevent this?
“I was a CEO of a club myself, and much of it comes down to investment. What you invest in stewards, security and to make sure the training is appropriate.
“There should be a reminder that we cannot just drop the ball here. The players are concerned here and they should be able to go to work feeling safe.”
Meanwhile, the PFA board will decide on the new chair with Houghton among the favourites which would be a revolutionary step but Molango says she should be judged on her strengths rather than being a female.
He added: “She’s an unbelievable football player. If she’s picked, it will not be because she’s a woman but because she’s good. It’s important that people have the right sill set and she certainly has. But so do a number of other people. I think it’s the decision of the players’ board and I’m excited because I know that whoever will be picked will be fantastic.”
