Jannah Theme License is not validated, Go to the theme options page to validate the license, You need a single license for each domain name.
Canada

World Cup 2022: Boycott signals FIFA must change

Opinion: A boycott by future organizers would only add a slap in the face against FIFA executives who like to talk about using global sporting events as catalysts for change.

Article content

It’s easy to see why the soccer bosses of the world’s biggest single-sport event are already eyeing the 2026 World Cup hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

advertising 2

Article content

why? Because we are not Qatar.

Article content

But while FIFA officials are eager to get the 2022 edition done before it even begins, why would Canada and its two host cities (Vancouver and Toronto) decide to get them here in the first place? It’s getting harder and harder to understand why they were so enthusiastic.

In case you haven’t noticed, bad news continues to pour in from Qatar ahead of the first match on November 20th.

Qatar’s human rights record is sketchy, and as of late last week, Canada had yet to decide whether to send senior officials to watch our national team at its first World Cup in 36 years.

Nor has he indicated whether he supports the growing boycott movement that began in Europe. It includes not only current and former players, but also cities that have put an end to the long tradition of setting up giant screens in public squares to watch matches.

advertising 3

Article content

The boycott movement has rocked football’s governing body, FIFA. FIFA president Giovanni Infantino wanted an unprecedented five million people to watch his 64 games on television.

But boycotts by future organizers only add to the harsh accusations against FIFA executives who like to talk about using global sporting events as catalysts for change.

Lusail Stadium taken on November 11, 2022 in Lusail. Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament.
Lusail Stadium taken on November 11, 2022 in Lusail. Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. Photo by Kirill Kudryavtsev /AFP via Getty Images

Qatar needed little more than money. Since then, FIFA has made changes to its bidding process. But I can’t help but wonder if the damage to reputation is enough that all of the hosting benefits that were used to lure countries like Canada and cities like Vancouver aren’t significantly diminished. not.

Among the changes FIFA made after choosing Qatar, it’s worth mentioning that a human rights risk assessment is now required. Issues listed included labor rights, housing rights, human trafficking, and safety and security when conducting an evaluation to support the bid.

Advertising 4

Article content

If Vancouver has completed a human rights risk assessment, unlike Toronto, the city has not made it public or produced a report related to the World Cup.

Canada’s challenges are worrisome, but they pale in comparison to Qatar.

Since 2008, Amnesty International says 6,500 migrant workers have died there, but the United Nations says this is the total number of deaths and all of these migrants were killed in tournament-related construction projects worth $22 billion. I am warning you that it is not working.

Human Rights Watch said in July that thousands of workers brought in for the World Cup have not been paid. It launched the #PayUpFIFA campaign. It is backed by seven national football associations — Soccer Canada is not among them.

Advertising 5

Article content

The campaign calls on FIFA and Qatar to establish a $440 million fund (equivalent to World Cup prize money). So far, both Qatar and FIFA have ignored calls to do so.

Qatari officials have welcomed all to visit the Islamic Emirate and have even agreed to temporarily allow charter flights from Israel to land there. It warned LGBTQ+ fans to respect local customs and warned against showing affection in public.

Earlier this month, Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Feser called on her Qatari counterparts and state chancellors to ensure that all visitors would be safe and protected from discrimination.

But changing deep-seated prejudices is difficult. Days after providing these guarantees, Khalid Salman, Qatar’s World Cup ‘ambassador’ and former player, told a German journalist that homosexuality was banned because it was ’emotional damage’. The World Cup official quickly ended the interview.

Advertising 6

Article content

Ironically, without the World Cup, we would have known very little about this due to what Reporters Without Borders calls Qatar’s “oppressive legislative arsenal and draconian censorship system.”

Semi-democratic emirates are allergic to criticism. The offer of free flights, accommodation and match tickets to superfans around the world was contingent on agreeing to a “Code of Conduct”.

“We are not asking you to speak for Qatar,” the enclosed letter said. “However, it is clearly not appropriate for you to criticize Qatar, the Supreme Commission for Delivery and Legacy (or any other affiliated body related to FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022) or FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”

advertising 7

Article content

In this file photo taken on July 20, 2015, FIFA president Sepp Blatter sees fake dollar bills thrown around him by British comedians during a press conference at the FIFA world bodies headquarters in Zurich. flying.
In this file photo taken on July 20, 2015, FIFA President Sepp Blatter claims that a fake dollar bill thrown by a British comedian during a press conference at FIFA’s World Organizations headquarters in Zurich has been stolen from him. I see them flying around. Photo courtesy of FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty Images

Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, the governing body of world football, called Qatar’s choice a “mistake”. Everything he has said is fine.

But, but, but… it seems like a selfish rant from a discredited 86-year-old. It’s not just because he quickly put the blame for Qatar’s decision at the feet of then-President Michel Platini. of the European Football Federation.

The two resigned from FIFA in 2015 and were banned from the game. Blatter’s ban, which began in 2015, has been extended until 2028 due to “various violations” of FIFA’s Code of Ethics.

In July, a Swiss court ruled that Blatter transferred US$2.19 million to Platini, following years of investigation by Swiss and US law enforcement agencies into corruption allegations related to the 2018 Qatar-Russia selection. Blatter and Platini were acquitted of related fraud. It’s detailed in his four-part Netflix documentary, FIFA Uncovered, released last week.

Advertising 8

Article content

Soccer is still a beautiful game. But it’s not FIFA’s fault that it’s beautiful, it’s nonetheless.

dbramham@postmedia.com


More news, less ads: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For just $3.50 a week, get unlimited add-on access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Subscribe now and support us: The Vancouver Sun |

    advertising 1

comment

Postmedia is committed to maintaining an active yet respectful forum for discussion and encourages all readers to share their opinions on our articles. It may take up to an hour to moderate your comments before they appear on the site. Please keep your comments relevant and respectful. You have enabled email notifications. You will now receive an email when you receive a reply to a comment, when a comment thread you are following is updated, or when someone is following your comment. For more information and details on how to adjust your email preferences, please see our Community Guidelines.

World Cup 2022: Boycott signals FIFA must change

Source link World Cup 2022: Boycott signals FIFA must change

Related Articles

Back to top button