Contract for Saudi Arabia comes
FIFA critics are horrified to expect further World Cup shock
October 30, 2023, 6:12 p.m
The surprisingly short application period for the 2034 World Cup ends. But the host has already been decided: Saudi Arabia. The final vote is another success for sportswashing in the country. Human rights activists expect a catastrophe.
What is expected to become official on Tuesday is already a scandal for human rights activists. “The possibility that FIFA would award Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup despite the country’s appalling human rights record and reluctance to control exposes FIFA’s human rights commitments as a window dressing,” said Minky Worden, director of Human Rights Watch ) with a view to the end of the application period.
The possible final round award by the world football association FIFA to the desert state could become certain as early as tomorrow, Tuesday; any applicants must confirm their interest by then. But potential competitors have already caved in the run-up to the deadline. If Saudi Arabia were to be the only applicant or at least the big favorite, the so-called sportswashing of the absolute monarchy would have reached its peak – that would be a disaster for HRW.
“FIFA hasn’t learned the lesson”
“Almost a year after the human rights disasters at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA has not learned the lesson that awarding multi-billion dollar events without due care and transparency carries the risk of corruption and serious human rights violations,” said Worden – referring to the 2017 FIFA Human Rights Policy adopted.
Article 7 states: “FIFA will cooperate constructively with relevant authorities and other stakeholders and make every effort to fulfill its international human rights responsibilities.” According to these statutes, countries applying to host competitions must commit to complying with strict human and labor rights standards.
Football as a “stooge” in human rights violations?
According to HRW, the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia is “appalling.” The organization cited mass executions, the continued suppression of women’s rights and the murder of hundreds of migrants on the Yemeni border as examples. In addition, government critics are tortured and imprisoned, religious minorities are oppressed, and sex outside of marriage and same-sex relationships are punishable by the death penalty.
That’s why, for HRW Germany director Wenzel Michalski, “the values that FIFA and subordinate associations give themselves are not worth the paper they were written on. The behavior is really shameful.” In Michalski’s opinion, football is “turning itself into a stooge”.
Nations are siding with Saudi
This year the FIFA Club World Cup is taking place in Saudi Arabia. With a view to the World Cup, the country, whose league has lured numerous top stars with horrendous salaries in the millions, could already have reached its goal thanks to FIFA’s surprisingly short deadline. Apart from Saudi Arabia, no one has yet officially taken cover. The final application must be submitted by July 2024.
Indonesia recently abandoned its plans for a joint application with Australia and other countries, and more and more nations are gradually siding with Saudi Arabia. Hardly anyone doubts that a surcharge will be awarded. The Asian confederation AFC sided with the extremely rich kingdom shortly after the Saudi advance.
Critics accuse FIFA, led by President Gianni Infantino, of having already cleared the way for the controversial Saudi ruler Mohammed bin Salman by planning the 2030 World Cup in six countries and three continents. In 2034, only organizers from Asia and Oceania will be considered – FIFA wants to award the tournament as early as next year. The outcry could then be loud again – and again in vain.