The CEO of the country that will host the World Cup said he would like a meeting with the England manager after he questioned the treatment of migrant workers in the Gulf State.
Since it was controversially awarded the World Cup finals back in 2010, there have been accusations of poor human rights and treatment of migrant workers.
He recently said that he was clear on the issues of hosting the World Cup in the region and that he would hold talks with his squad.
However, in an interview with Sky Sports News Chief, Al Khater responded by saying that he was a coach and person, but that he had defended the treatment of workers.
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I would like to know who from the England squad has come to Qatar. I asked the coach if he had been to Qatar. He asked if he was basing his opinions and public statements on what he had read.
It is kind of an issue if you base your opinions on what you have read. Someone with a lot of influence, such as Southgate, should be careful with what he says.
Somebody with a lot of influence, such as Southgate, somebody with a big audience that listens to what he says, ought to pick his words very carefully
I think that before making statements like that, he needs to speak to the workers and understand what they're going through.
I can assure him that if he comes here and speaks to the majority of the workers, they will tell you how they put their children through university.
I look forward to welcoming him here, I look forward to meeting him at the draw, he doesn't have to believe it, but at least he needs to go that far to understand different opinions.
I don't think anyone can claim that a country is perfect, so if someone is going to claim that, they need to take a look at themselves.
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Sky Sports News understands that the England coach has visited the country.
Some of England's LGBTQ+ supporters would not travel to the tournament given that in the Gulf State, male homosexuality is a crime, same-sex marriages are not recognised by the government and women's rights are much more restricted.
All fans were reassured by Al Khater that they would be safe if they respected the region.
First of all, people need to understand thatQatar is the safest country in the Middle East, it is the second safest country in the world, and people need to understand why it is one of the safest countries in the Middle East.
There is a lot of meaning in that, and I can assure fans that the reason they won't feel safe here is because of the lack of understanding and the lack of understanding of tolerance.
People base their opinions and fears on things they don't understand and that's usually what causes apprehension with human beings, a lack of understanding.
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People are going to feel safe here, people are going to be very comfortable, what I can say to fans is, we are a modest country, we have our culture, we have our norms, what we ask of them is to respect it. We look at it the same way if you are a gay couple or a heterosexual couple.
All we ask is for people to be respectful, like we are when we travel around the world, and just to observe these cultural differences. It means that public displays of affection are frowned upon.
The England manager will be travelling to Qatar for the World Cup draw on Friday and will be able to meet with Al Khater to discuss the issues.
I respect him as a human being, I respect him as a coach, and I don't have any issues with people's opinions, so if he watches this interview, I extend him my deepest respect.
We can agree to disagree.
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