Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit supports

Robert Fawdon, Doha – Qatar, Nov 13: Ruud Gullit, former Dutch football captain and manager and player of Chelsea FC, has come out in support of John Terry, the former England captain. Gullit, speaking to media at ASPIRE4SPORT, the Middle East’s leading sports business conference, defended Terry, the present Chelsea FC captain, saying:

“I hope John can play his football again. I don’t think he is racist. I hope he can get it behind him.”

Gullit is one of a number of football legends speaking at the ASPIRE4SPORT conference in Doha, Qatar. Also in attendance were several former Real Madrid and FC Barcelona legends, including Raúl González, Fernando Ruiz Hierro, Pedja Mijatović and Gheorghe Hagi, who spoke on a panel today and discussed the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Raul, who currently plays in the Qatar Stars League for Al Sadd, said: “10 years from now things will get much better in terms of [Qatari] coaching and football ideology. What they [Qatar] are doing will be really special – I am actually learning from them.”

Hierro, said: “I think it will be the best World Cup in terms of organisation, facilities and infrastructure. Look at the progress they have made already. It will be a special World Cup, I have no doubt and I am very optimistic.”

The former Real Madrid and FC Barcelona players will also be playing in an ‘El Clásico Legends’ match tonight at Doha’s Aspire centre. Other star players taking part include Ronald de Boer, Boudewijn Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta, Michael Reiziger, Christian Karembeu and Míchel Salgado. —- Robert Fawdon from Doha – Qatar.

Hierro, said: “I think it will be the best World Cup in terms of organisation, facilities and infrastructure. Look at the progress they have made already. It will be a special World Cup, I have no doubt and I am very optimistic.”

The former Real Madrid and FC Barcelona players will also be playing in an ‘El Clásico Legends’ match tonight at Doha’s Aspire centre. Other star players taking part include Ronald de Boer, Boudewijn Zenden, Gaizka Mendieta, Michael Reiziger, Christian Karembeu and Míchel Salgado.