In a letter of condemnation, EU lawmakers from across the political spectrum said the decision to host Saudi Arabia “undermines the principles on which FIFA was founded”.
“We also stand in solidarity with professional football players who have raised legitimate questions about FIFA’s partnership with (Saudi oil giant) Aramco,” the lawmakers added. “These decisions raise serious concerns about the integrity of FIFA’s values and its commitment to gender equality, human rights and environmental sustainability.”
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has been a fiasco amid accusations that the host country exploited migrant workers building the infrastructure needed to host the tournament, resulting in hundreds of deaths.
“In the aftermath of the 2022 tournament, FIFA has committed to integrating human rights standards into its selection process,” the MEPs said in the letter. However, these promises do not seem to have been proven in practice, and recent decisions call into question FIFA’s true commitment to human rights. ”
Saudi Arabia has undertaken an extensive program of social and infrastructure modernization under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Riyadh’s de facto ruler.
His flagship Vision 2030 project includes huge spending on global sporting events as the Gulf oil monarchy aims to diversify its economy beyond fossil fuels and raise its standing on the international stage. is included.
