FIFA urges World Cup hosts to ‘focus on football’ in Qatar – Middle East monitor

FIFA has sent a letter to World Cup teams urging them to focus on football in Qatar and not drag the sport into an ideological or political “battle”. Reuters report.

A letter from FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Executive Director Fatma Samoura, following numerous protests Created by World Cup teams on issues ranging from LGBTIQ rights to concerns about the treatment of migrant workers.

“Please, let’s focus on soccer now!” sky news I quoted Infantino and Samoura in a letter to the 32 countries participating in the World Cup.

“We know that football does not live in a vacuum, and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature around the world.

“But don’t let football get dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”

When contacted by FIFA, it was not immediately available for comment. Reuters.

The first World Cup to be held in the Middle East starts on November 20th.

“If Gianni Infantino wants the world to ‘focus on football’, there is a simple solution. ‘, said in a statement.

Amnesty International and other rights groups have called on FIFA to compensate Qatar’s migrant workers for their human rights violations by securing $440 million, the same amount as the World Cup prize money.

“The first step is to make a public commitment to establish a fund to compensate migrant workers before the tournament starts, so that LGBT people do not face discrimination and harassment,” Cockburn added. rice field.

read: Shortlisted authors for the Palestine Book Award presented at an event in London

“It’s amazing they haven’t done it yet. Gianni Infantino is right when he says ‘football doesn’t exist in a vacuum’.

“Hundreds of thousands of workers have faced abuse to make this tournament possible, and their rights cannot be forgotten or dismissed. It’s worth it and time is running out.”

Australia’s football team last week opposed Qatar’s record on human rights and same-sex relations.

The Danish Football Union (DBU) told local media last month that players would leave their families at the World Cup to protest the country’s human rights record.

Football Australia confirmed it had received a letter from FIFA on Friday but declined to comment further. Reuters We also reached out to the DBU for comment.

While World Cup organizers have said everyone is welcome regardless of sexual orientation or background, they have also cautioned against showing affection in public.

Qatar admits there are “gaps” in its labor system, but the World Cup has allowed the country to make progress on workers’ rights.

“At FIFA, we seek to respect all opinions and beliefs without spreading moral precepts to the world,” Infantino said in the letter. Sky.

“One of the world’s great strengths is precisely its diversity. If inclusion means anything, it means respecting its diversity. There is no such thing as “better” than the country.

“This principle is the very cornerstone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And it is also one of the core values ​​of football. So let’s all remember that and put football at the center. ”

read: OIC condemns Qatar ‘sedition campaign’ against hosting FIFA World Cup