The row over FIFA's controversial letter to all World Cup nations escalated after South American football chiefs backed calls for teams not to use the tournament as a stage to protest against hosts Qatar.

On thursday last week FIFA president Gianni Infantino and general secretary Fatma Samoura signed a letter that was been sent to all 32 participating nations asking for everyone involved to stick to speaking about football once the tournament starts amid the huge backdrop of ill-feeling towards the competition's hosts.

The build-up, which begins on November 20, has been overshadowed by a raft of social issues surrounding Qatar's human rights record.

Thousands of migrant workers are alleged to have died whilst building the infrastructure for the tournament, while homosexuality is banned in Qatar.

England reacted with frustration to news of the letter over the weekend, releasing a combined statement alongside other nine other UEFA nations including Holland, Germany and Wales, in which they vowed to 'continue to support the momentum for positive and progressive change'.

But on Monday CONMEBOL, the governing body for South American football, threw their weight behind FIFA's letter.