Qatar is getting ready to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup to
become the first Middle-Eastern country to hold an event of such magnitude.
According to the FIFA requirements, Qatar is to build from the foundations
about 9 new football stadiums in the next few years. Criticism has come from
different football federations due to the lack of sports infrastructure in the
country and over all the hard weather conditions that Qatar holds during the
summer (over 50C). However, the most striking fact is that Qatar is going to
rely in migrant labor force to accomplish their objectives. This has brought
over the attention of some well-known trade union activist groups such as the
International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), that demand from a better
treatment of the workers that according to the ITUC survey, endured “inhuman”
conditions.
FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), as
one the most powerful international organizations in the world, following
closely important political organizations such as the EU, has the moral duty to
improve the life of those related to the world of sports. Now, ITUC claims FIFA
to put some pressure on Qatar to improve the conditions of the workers or move
the tournament instead. This is not the first time that the FIFA has been urged
to intervene in cases related to human rights violation and football,
especially related to child labor, but it does seem like a legitimate claim to
an organization that holds one of the biggest budgets in the world, careless of
financial crisis. Some would say that FIFA is not there to take care of other
organization’s businesses; that they should only work on what they were meant
to work. However, this organization has the gift to bring welfare and social
changes easier than any other political institution through sports, isn’t it
the time for them to make a difference? After all, football business is not
going to run out, not even slightly.
Main source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15772284
First of all, I do not understand why Qatar has been elected to host the 2022 Football World Cup, especially with its hazardous weather conditions during the summer and with its lack of infraestructure, as you mentioned. Moreover, Qatar is not being responsible in achieving its objectives.
ReplyDeleteI agree that FIFA is very powerful and has succeeded in bringing cooperation and respect for human rights in many regions. I believe that FIFA is in fact able and should intervene in this situation to make Qatar abide by the norms. However, our expectations sometimes are higher than reality.
I totally agree with Pelayo.
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