FIFA's 'focus on football' statement is another failure

With the most controversial World Cup set to begin in Qatar in just under a week’s time, FIFA wrote to the 32 competing teams to ‘now focus on the football.’

Credit: Talk Sport.

By: Derry Salter.

At a time where human rights abuses are arguably at an all time high, FIFA’s letter only served to highlight the body’s insensitivity and weak stance on the matter.

President Gianna Infantino signed the letter, stating that football should not be ‘dragged’ into ideological or political ‘battles’ and it should not be ‘handing out moral lessons.’ But, moral lessons are necessary when people are being punished and killed for their sexuality.

Ten different European football associations, including England and Wales, as well as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International responded to the governing body stating: ‘Human rights are universal and apply everywhere.’

The 10 responding countries recognised the assurances from the Qatari Government and FIFA ‘regarding the safety, security and inclusion of all fans who travel to the World Cup, including LGBTQ+ fans.’ But, continued to call the country’s discriminatory stance out: ‘Embracing diversity and tolerance also means supporting human rights.’

The UEFA Working Group issued a statement in response to FIFA’s letter, showing their intentions to keep pressing the governing body for answers on human rights and labour rights in Qatar.

While acknowledging the ‘significant progress’ made by Qatar, a joint statement issued by members of the UEFA Working Group on human rights and labour rights said it would ‘continue to press’ FIFA for answers on outstanding issues surrounding migrant workers.

Host country Qatar’s stance on same-sex relationships and their dire human rights record has been criticised by many competing countries, although it has not stopped them from participating in the competition.

England’s Harry Kane is leading the peaceful protests wearing a ‘One Love’ armband, which the nine other European captains will also don. Denmark plan to wear a more ‘toned-down shirts’ hiding their kit provider in protest of the country’s human rights abuse. But are these protests too minor? Should Qatar be allowed to host the World Cup anyway?

With an official ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar, Khalid Salman, stating that homosexuality is a ‘damage in the mind’, these meaningless protests are not enough. The Qatari government has time and time again refused to change their laws on homosexuality. The Qatar 2022 Chief Executive Nasser al Khater has told attendees to ‘respect our culture.’ With countries still willing to attend and play in Qatar, they are going further than respecting such human rights abuses but are also allowing them to continue.