>
Jamie Carragher lashes out at ‘absolutely disgusting’ World Cup timing in Qatar after Son Heung-min’s eye injury in Tottenham’s win puts him in a race against time to be fit for the South Korean campaign
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Jamie Carragher has criticized the ‘absolutely disgusting’ timing of the Qatar World Cup as Tottenham forward Son Heung-min faces a race against time to overcome an injury.
The South Korea captain was forced out of the Spurs Champions League game in Marseille on Tuesday evening after suffering a nasty eye injury.
Son suffered a blow to his left cheekbone during his team’s 2-1 win and had to leave the field as his eye swelled – though he was able to celebrate their progress to the last-16 afterward.
Son Heung-min suffered a head injury in Tottenham’s 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday evening
South Korea talisman is visibly upset after being out with the nasty injury
The 30-year-old has just over three weeks to recover before South Korea’s opening game against Uruguay on November 24.
It comes after France’s Raphael Varane and Portugal’s Diogo Jota were banned from the first-ever winter World Cup after sustaining injuries playing for their clubs.
And Liverpool legend Carragher criticized FIFA’s decision to change the tournament’s timing from the usual daylight saving time to mid-season.
“I think it’s an absolute shame that the World Cup is in its current position for various reasons,” Carragher told CBS Sports.
“It was corrupt that Qatar got the World Cup, we knew that at the time.
Jamie Carragher criticized decision to hold Qatar World Cup mid-season
The tournament in Qatar has been moved from its usual summer position to the mid-season
“They campaigned to have it in the summer, it’s impossible there to have a World Cup in the summer with the temperature, it’s being moved to the situation where it’s now in the middle of the season.
‘Players who dream all their lives of playing in a World Cup and could be now’ [out injured] – as we’ve seen with Son and players around the world.
“Varane came off the pitch at Stamford Bridge crying. That’s how close we are to a World Cup.
“An injury, an injury lasting ten days or two weeks, keeps players out of a World Cup and that shouldn’t happen.
Swelling had appeared on the side of Son’s face after he was caught by Chancel Mbemba
Son is escorted through the tunnel for rest after a head injury in Marseille
“And it all started with FIFA giving Qatar the World Cup and then moving it. I find it absolutely disgusting.’
After the game, Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini said: “We have to wait for a medical assessment and we have to wait until tomorrow.
“Sonny is feeling better now, I saw him in the dressing room and he celebrated with us. It’s his face, his eye is a little swollen.’
A goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the 95th minute saw Tottenham beat Marseille 2-1 to lead their group and reach the Champions League knockout stage as a seeded team in the draw.
But Antonio Conte’s side had to come from behind again, with Clement Lenglet nullifying Chancel Mbemba’s opening game for the French club.