Vol. 27 No. 294 (2022)

Soccer, Hosts and Rights
It is clear that the World Cup that begins this month in Qatar is going to take place in a context of intolerance and discrimination. Among other controversies, it is estimated that thousands of migrants died in working conditions close to slavery in the construction of lavish stadiums and other facilities; local laws subjugate and control women, and there are prison sentences for LGBTI people. In addition, no one denies that the designation of the host country was the product of one of the most unfortunate acts of corruption in which several members of FIFA participated.
Given this scenario, there have been claims and symbolic protests, such as that of the French -current champions- who are not going to install giant screens in public places during matches. FIFA itself today is being pressured by national associations, sponsors, former players, social leaders and a few fans, to create a fund to compensate families for damages and deaths. If these greedy leaders who only aspire to obtain fabulous profits had observed in these years, apart from the progress of the constructions, who and in what conditions they were hired, surely we would not be facing this tragic panorama today.
The claim must be made with the same intensity as we shout the goals, so that in the agendas for the next Soccer World Cups, Olympic Games and others, standards and protocols to respect human rights fundamentals are accepted by each of the hosts. Thus, soccer and other sports will be viewed as places in which global society celebrates coexistence without discrimination, with equity and respect for diversity.
Tulio Guterman, Director - November 2022

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