The Looming Shadow Over Soccer's Future
The Controversial World Cup of 2022 and Its Aftermath
The world's eyes turned to Qatar in November 2022 for the most debated World Cup in history, and the event didn't disappoint in creating controversy. The fanfare unveiled the desert state's most powerful representative and Argentina's World Cup captain, Lionel Messi, as the emir's prize after the game. This grand spectacle, which cost Qatar over 200 billion euros, left a bitter taste in the mouths of human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) amply.
A year later, in 2023, the desert stadiums still remain as sad reminders of an event marred by pervasive human rights violations. Fast-forward to April 2023, when FIFA, the world governing body of football, appears to be on the brink of awarding the 2034 World Cup to Qatar's giant neighbor, Saudi Arabia. The predictable move has sparked significant outrage among human rights advocates, with HRW Germany Director Wenzel Michalski bluntly stating that "Anyone who believed that FIFA was serious and a serious organization must now feel like a joke."
Saudi Arabia's Regressive Human Rights Record
HRW has outlined several concerns regarding the potential honoring of Saudi Arabia, citing the country's abhorrent human rights abuses ranging from free press suppression to the absence of labor unions. Here's a brief rundown:
- Suppression of Free Speech: Saudi Arabia is well-known for its authoritarian regulations, targeting individuals who peacefully express their opinions on social media.
- Labor Rights Abuses: The exploitative working and living conditions in Saudi Arabia pose significant challenges for migrant laborers, many of whom are trapped in a system of total dependence on their employers through the kafala system.
- Counterterrorism Law: Criminalizing dissent wields dangerous effects, as individuals could be swiftly arrested and jailed without a proper trial or due process.
- Death Penalty: Saudi Arabia continues to execute individuals for crimes committed as minors, something that human rights organizations strongly condemn.
FIFA's Accountability and the German Football Association's Involvement
"The values that FIFA and subordinate associations set themselves are not worth the paper they are written on. The behavior is really shameful."
Wenzel Michalski, HRW Director
The German Football Association (DFB) has been under scrutiny for its part in the controversy, with President Bernd Neuendorf coming under fire for his failure to deliver on his promises of increased transparency in FIFA's decision-making process.
The DFB was among the few to call for a compensation fund to support injured or killed migrant workers, but its influence remains unclear. Critically, the former is unlikely to gain traction as a FIFA board member.
FIFA's Questionable Decision-Making and DFB's Role
The awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia would further tarnish FIFA's reputation as a responsible organization that values human rights. FIFA's decision-making process has been riddled with concerns, as highlighted by HRW. Moreover, the German Football Association is also being urged to speak up and put pressure on FIFA to make a stand for human rights, but so far, this hasn't happened.
In conclusion, the potential awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia by FIFA has prompted concern and criticism from HRW, calling it a "mockery" of human rights commitments. Deploring the inhumane conditions and human rights abuses happening in Saudi Arabia, it is vital for FIFA and regional associations to take a stand against the country's bid, rather than turning a blind eye to controversial events like this.
