 "FIFA accused of ignoring report on human rights abuses while considering Saudi Arabia's bid for 2034 World Cup")
FIFA have been warned by a group of legal figures they’re “dealing with the devil” by planning to host the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. According to The Guardian, leading lawyers Mark Pieth, Stefan Wehrenberg and Rodney Dixon KC had submitted a report to FIFA in May this year in which they detailed instances of the oil-rich kingdom violating human rights policies drafted by the world football governing body.
The trio, however, have said that Gianni Infantino-led organisation is yet to respond to their report, which calls for the Saudi state to “release all political prisoners” and improve women’s rights in the country among other things.
FIFA is to make a decision on the host nation for the 2034 edition of what is the most popular sporting event in the world after the Olympics, although it appears to be a foregone conclusion at the moment with Saudi Arabia being the only nation to bid for hosting rights.
“We are calling on FIFA, with its proud history of taking a stance in favour of human rights, to do exactly that right now and it is simply not good enough to not respond at all to our report. There has to be a consultation. Things have to change if Saudi is going to be considered for the World Cup. We can’t have vague recommendations or straw man scenarios,” said Dixon, who represents slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s wife Hatice Cengiz.
Dixon added that FIFA did take stern action in the past, and there was no reason to believe they couldn’t do it again when it came to the 2034 World Cup.
“We are not alone in calling for an honest, proper review. Fifa does have teeth. In the past it has taken dramatic steps, and banned countries including Russia and Indonesia. They have had a huge impact on changing perceptions. We say this is another watershed moment,” he added.
One of the fastest and most exciting growth stories in world football... 🇸🇦
— Saudi Arabian Football Federation (@saudiff_en) March 1, 2024
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation unveils its bid campaign to host the FIFA World Cup™ 2034 under the slogan #GrowingTogether 🌎
Visit the #Saudi2034bid website ▶️ https://t.co/jiouupWndP pic.twitter.com/SU4Ex1GgqG
Pieth, meanwhile, added that hosting the event in Saudi Arabia was a “big risk” for FIFA.
“My understanding is that Saudi Arabia is quite a bit nervous (about public criticism) and they are dangerous. That’s my take. I’m not shy to say it in public. People are really dealing with the devil here. So there is a big risk,” said Pieth, who had previously chaired FIFA’s independent governance committee.
The tournament had been hosted by Russia and Qatar in 2018 and 2022 and is set to be hosted by multiple nations in the next two editions. While USA will jointly host the 2026 edition along with Mexico and Canada, the 2030 centennial edition will take place in Spain, Portugal and Morocco with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay serving as anniversary match hosts.
The World Cup is expected to return to being hosted by a single nation in 2034.
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