Controversy over the legacy of men’s staging world Cup broke out on the floor of the FIFA Congress in Qatar on Thursday, with the Norwegian Football Federation president calling on the head of Qatar’s supreme committee only strong action to “educate” himself on the issues.
Earlier in a tightly managed set-piece event in Doha Friday’s World Cup DrawLise Clevance’s address tarnished consensus when she said FIFA should act as a “role model” and called on the organization to do more to support the families of migrant workers who were killed and who was working on the World Cup project.
“Our sport can inspire dreams and break down barriers but as leaders we must do it right and to the highest standards,” said Klavnes, a former Norway international. “How else can we ignore the call for change” fifa The way the game is run says a lot about how the game should be. FIFA should act as a role model.
“The 2010 World Cup was awarded by FIFA in an unacceptable manner with unacceptable results. Human rights, equality and democracy – football’s main interests – were not in the starting XI. These fundamental rights were mainly substituted by outside voices pressured in the region. FIFA has addressed these issues but there is still a long way to go.
Klavness called for specific reforms. “The families of migrant workers injured or killed in the making of the World Cup must be looked after,” she said. “FIFA, all of us, must take all measures to implement the change. It is important that the current leadership continues with this diligence. No place for employers who don’t secure workers’ safety, no room for hosts who can’t host women’s sports, that doesn’t legally guarantee the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ people May those who come to this theater of dreams. I fear that in the future our stadiums will be empty if we ignore the urgency of the moment. ,
The Norwegian FA president’s speech was followed by an unexpected address by Honduran FA Secretary General, Jose Ernesto Mejia, who said it was not “the right forum or the right time” to make such a comment.
Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), again gave a passionate speech defending the move. Line After winning the right to host the World Cup. He added that the country has “committed 12 years of tireless work … dedicated to ensuring that this tournament remembers a truly transformative social, human, economic and environmental legacy. We take the spotlight off us.” fully aware.” With hosting the biggest show on earth comes and we have accepted it.”
Thavadi said the most important legacy of the World Cup will be to remove prejudices that see the Arab world as a place of conflict. Referring to the positive reports made by international trade unions on the development of workers’ rights, he said that he wanted to reassure people of social heritage. “Our opponents have become allies,” he said.[and] Even our harshest critics like Amnesty acknowledge our commitment.”
He also criticized Klaveness for not speaking personally to the SC about Norway’s concerns. “Wing [the issue of a] Social legacy, I would like to assure the Norwegian FA ”he said. ,[But] I want to express my disappointment. The President visited our country and did not request a meeting. He did not attempt talks before addressing the Congress today. We are always open to dialogue, we have always welcomed constructive criticism. Our doors are always open to those who want to understand the issues, who want to educate themselves before passing any judgment.
The Guardian understands that Klavnes addressed Thwadi personally as part of a UEFA working group on social heritage in Qatar that has toured the country.
Controversy erupted in Congress a moment later when FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented a video documenting the progress made on workers and human rights since winning the World Cup in Qatar.
It is said in the video that the SC played an important role in this dismantling the kaphala system in the country and featured Ambett Youson, Secretary General of Building and Woodworkers International, who praises the improvement in worker safety. “The health and safety standards in stadium construction sites are on the same level as the health and safety standards in Europe,” Yusson said.
quick guide
How do I sign up for sports breaking news alerts?
Display
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on an iPhone or Google Play Store on an Android phone by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the latest version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the yellow button in the bottom right, then go to Settings (gear icon), then go to Notifications.
- Turn on game notifications.
The video also shows Piara Powar, chief executive of Fair Networks, which campaigns for equality in football, talking about the conversation. Protecting LGBTQ+ Supporters in Qatar, where homosexuality remains illegal. Although Powar is cited as being positive about the process, the Guardian understands that he also expressed concern over the continued lack of guarantees on the safety of supporters, the video does not comment on.
On Thursday, 16 organizations called on the SC to act pro-protection focusing on LGBTIQ+ rights, saying the action has been slow and “mechanisms to ensure safety and assurance about the safety of LGBTIQ+ people”. are not sufficient”. Huh”. The organizations said they had submitted eight requests for action to FIFA and the SC, but the latter have yet to receive a response.
Infantino announced that he was to run for a second four-year term as president.