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“I just have certain principles. I don’t want to play football in a country where human rights are being violated in such a terrible way. That just doesn’t feel right,” says Orange goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen. His decision not to go to the World Cup in Qatar is highly respected.
“When Van Gaal asked me to come to Qatar, I immediately said: ‘Louis, I can’t do that because of the human rights situation in Qatar’. Thousands of workers have died in Qatar because they were treated as slaves. How can I play football there in good decency? Van Gaal understood my choice, although of course he thought it was a shame,” says Cillessen.
The NEC goalkeeper has received numerous positive reactions to his decision not to participate in the World Cup: “Many people think it is a brave decision. They appreciate that I am the only Orange player who does stand by my principles.”
“Look, it is of course a major setback for the Orange that I am not there. I realize that very well. They now have to make do with Pasveer, Bijlow or Noppert on target. These are guys who just attach less value to human rights. Everyone can make their own assessment in this regard. For me it was a very conscious choice not to go. And I have not regretted that for a moment.”
