Speaking On The Politics In Iran Will Come With Consequences – Gareth Southgate

England manager, Gareth Southgate has come out to say that his position as coach means he must think about the consequences of commenting on political matters. This is coming after he was asked about the situation in Iran, and fans have been reacting.

According to him, he acknowledges and respects the fact that other countries have cultural differences, so he prefers to avoid such complications and focus on football.

Southgate added that he has a responsibility as a national manager, and he’ll concentrate on that.

His words, “I think there is a balance. Our first job is to create a good football team, and with our national teams, there is always the opportunity to affect things beyond football.”

“When that’s been in a situation that has directly affected us, for example experiences of racism as a team with players from lots of different backgrounds, who have hade tough journeys in their lives, we have been able to speak about those things authentically and we have been able to make a difference.”

“But then there are other things that are politically more difficult to be clear on the types of messages.”

“With the tournament being in Qatar, we have had to do a lot of research and be clear on what we might be able to affect and what we might not be able to affect — what areas the government is dealing with.”

“I have a responsibility as a national manager, I can’t just speak and not think about the consequences of the position I hold, so I am always assessing all of those things and, where we can make a difference, we’d like to.”

“And where we’re not as informed or there are cultural differences, we also acknowledge and are respectful that other countries have differences as well.”

“It is complicated and I’m not a university-educated guy — I’m a guy who left school at 16 and is trying his best to help where I can.”