Australia swerve rights issues to focus on World Cup opener

Australian players refuse to expand on their comments about Qatar’s human rights record, saying they are fully focused on a daunting World Cup opener against defending champions France.

The Gulf state has come under intense scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup, which starts on November 20.

The Socceroos released a video last month featuring 16 players, in which they spoke out against rights abuses in Qatar, although they acknowledged progress had been made.