‘I don’t feel comfortable’ – Ex-Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen admits he’s afraid to speak out against Qatar at World Cup with Belgium

Jan Vertonghen says he hopes he 'never has to experience' the way he feels at the 2022 World Cup 'ever again'.

The former Tottenham star expressed he felt 'controlled' and 'uncomfortable', given he was 'afraid' of speaking out about the issues surrounding Qatar hosting the tournament.

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The 2022 World Cup was marred with controversy before a ball was even kicked, with questions raised over topics such as the country's human rights record and their attitude towards homosexuality.

Vertonghen's Belgium were among the nations who planned for their captain to wear the anti-discrimination OneLove armband in Qatar, where same-sex relationships are illegal.

But they backtracked after FIFA threatened sporting sanctions including an immediate yellow card, as they were also told to change their away kit, which had 'love' on the neck.

And Belgium star and ex-Spurs man Vertonghen has done his best in explaining just how 'uncomfortable' FIFA's 2022 World Cup has been for players with all the controversies surrounding the tournament.

"I mean [is it] too late if you make a statement now by wearing the armband?" Vertonghen began before his country's opening World Cup game against Canada on Wednesday evening - live on talkSPORT.

"That would mean punishing yourself. But I'm now unfortunately afraid to say anything at all, I don't feel comfortable and that is telling enough.

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"We are put on the spot in this situation. I'm afraid if I say something about this about whether or not I'll be able to play on the field tomorrow.

"That is unfortunately a situation I've never, ever experienced in football, and I hope I'll never ever have to experience it again because it's just not good.

"We are being controlled and I don't really like making political statements, but as I said I'm even afraid to say something about this. We're here to play football, we can't even do that because we're saying these things.

"They're normal things, like saying no to racism and discrimination. If you can't even say that well hey, then what?

"I shouldn't be saying anything about it because tomorrow I want to appear at the kick-off at 10 o'clock and that says enough."

Vertonghen isn't the only one raising the issue at Qatar 2022.

The German national team covered their mouths for their team photo ahead of their tie against Japan - demonstrating, as Vertonghen also suggested, them being silenced.