Although many people around the world celebrated it in a big way, the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia continued to generate controversy after being confirmed.
PUBLICIDAD
"Putting lives in danger and revealing the emptiness of FIFA's commitments to human rights," warned NGOs and representatives of fan associations in a joint statement after the news was released.
PUBLICIDAD
Why is there rejection of the FIFA World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia?
Since last year, when Saudi Arabia's candidacy to host the major sporting event was announced, human rights organizations have risen up against the country being remotely allowed to become a host. Now that it is a reality, entities such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the organizations Sport and Rights Alliance and Football Supporters Europe (FSE) have written a manifesto against it.
The twenty organizations signing the manifesto warn of the risks "for residents, migrant workers, and visiting fans": "Today, the evidence is clear: exploited migrant workers and victims of racism, activists sentenced to decades in prison for peacefully protesting, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals facing legalized discrimination, as well as residents forcibly evicted to make way for state projects," the text enumerated.
For the signatories, "it is evident that, without urgent action and global reforms, the 2034 World Cup will be overshadowed by widespread repression, discrimination, and exploitation."
However, the FIFA has recognized, since the introduction in 2017 of commitments on human rights, that it is incumbent upon them to “prevent and mitigate human rights violations and abuses linked to their activities,” as well as promising to “remedy” the situation if necessary, as recalled by the signing associations.