„Ungezügelte Korruption bei der FIFA“

FIFA-Präsident Gianni Infantino auf einer Pressekonferenz zur WM in Qatar | Bild: DPA
KRITIK VOM EU-PARLAMENT
FRANKFURTER ALLGEMEINE ZEITUNG: Das EU-Parlament geht hart mit dem Fußball-Weltverband ins Gericht. Es fordert ein „demokratisches und transparentes Verfahren“ zur Vergabe von Weltmeisterschaften.

Das Europäische Parlament hat in einer Entschließung zur Lage der Menschenrechte in Qatar scharfe Kritik am Fußball-Weltverband FIFA geübt. In dem Text, der am Donnerstag mit großer Mehrheit angenommen wurde, heißt es, „dass in der FIFA ungezügelte, systemische und tief verwurzelte Korruption herrscht“. Die Organisation habe das Image und die Integrität des Weltfußballs „ernsthaft beschädigt“. Das Parlament forderte die EU-Staaten, insbesondere jene mit großen Fußballligen, auf, „Druck auf die UEFA und die FIFA auszuüben, damit letztere sich für grundlegende Reformen einsetzt“. Dazu solle ein „demokratisches und transparentes Verfahren“ zur Vergabe von Weltmeisterschaften gehören. Diese dürften nicht an Staaten vergeben werden, die Grund- und Menschenrechte missachten, „insbesondere systematische geschlechtsspezifische Gewalt“. » | Von Thomas Gutschker, Brüssel | Donnerstag, 24. November 2022

German Football Federation to Take Legal Action over Fifa’s OneLove Armband Ban

THE GUARDIAN: Move comes after supermarket chain cuts commercial ties with DFB in protest over row at World Cup

Germany’s football federation has said it plans legal steps against Fifa over its banning of OneLove rainbow armbands at the World Cup as it faced the humiliating decision by one of the country’s largest supermarket chains to cut its commercial ties over the row.

The DFB refused to let players in Qatar wear the armbands promoting diversity and inclusion after threats from the world football governing body to issue yellow cards to team captains, but faced a swift reaction, including from the supermarket chain REWE, which became the first sponsor to take direct action as it said it would drop its advertising campaign in protest at the decision.

The DFB’s spokesperson, Stefan Simon, confirmed to the tabloid Bild that it had lodged a case over legal validity of the decision at the international sport court, CAS, » | Kate Connolly in Berlin | Tuesday, November 22, 2022

‘Treat People with Decency’: Roy Keane Attacks Staging of World Cup in Qatar

THE GUARDIAN: ‘To dismiss human rights flippantly … it’s not right,’ says Keane / ITV pundit was discussing controversy over OneLove armbands

Roy Keane was outspoken in his condemnation of staging the World Cup in Qatar while appearing on ITV’s coverage. Photograph: ITV
Roy Keane has condemned Fifa’s decision to allow the World Cup to be hosted in Qatar, in view of the country’s human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Speaking during ITV’s live coverage of Argentina v Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland midfielder summed up the ethical concerns felt by many regarding the controversial tournament. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar, while thousands of workers are alleged to have died during the construction of the tournament stadiums and infrastructure.

“The World Cup shouldn’t be here. It shouldn’t be here,” Keane said. “The corruption, regarding Fifa, you’ve got a country, the way they treat migrant workers, gay people.” » | Luke McLaughlin | Tuesday, November 22, 2022

'One Love' Campaign Hit by Threat of FIFA Sanctions | DW News

Nov 21, 2022 | The threat of sanctions have resulted in the seven European nations who had signed up to the One Love campaign, including England and Germany, announcing their decision to abandon plans to wear the rainbow-themed captain’s armbands.

The joint-statement, released just hours before England’s game opening 2022 World Cup group game against Iran was due to kick-off, cited the threat of disciplinary action from world football governing body FIFA as the reason for the decision.


Mustafa Qadri spoke so well, but one major point was missed here. The real problem goes deeper than Qatar. But nobody wants to talk about it. The real problem, at least regarding the LGBTQ+ community, lies in Islam itself and Islam's understanding and take on being gay. The Muslim world has a huge problem with homosexuality. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, gays are put to death. Qatar is no different. The buildings are marvellous and modern, and the country is high-tech and all that; but the mindset is mediæval. That is where the problem lies. – © Mark Alexander

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Migrant Abuse: MEPs Plan Qatar Trip after Damning Resolution

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Amid ongoing criticism over the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, the European Parliament has announced it will send a delegation to the 2022 World Cup host. On Thursday, MEPs issued a resolution condemning conditions for these workers in the Gulf state, though Doha called the resolution "premature."

The European Parliament is expected to send a delegation to Qatar next spring after passing an emergency resolution condemning the treatment of migrant workers in the Gulf state. The issue has come to a head as major construction work gathers pace ahead of the soccer World Cup in 2022, which the country will host.

In addition to the Qatari government, which has dismissed the resolution as "premature," MEPs are also looking to the world and European governing soccer bodies, FIFA and UEFA, for answers. » | dsk -- with wires | Friday, November 22, 2013

Peter Tatchell: ‘FIFA Has No Option But to Cancel Qatar World Cup’ over Tests to ‘Detect’ Gays

PINK NEWS: Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has called on FIFA to cancel the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, as it was revealed that Gulf Cooperative Countries introduced new rules to “detect” and ban gay people from entering the country.

Mr Tatchell said the new rules, announced earlier this week, “will mean that gay players and spectators will be banned from attending the football world cup.”

Speaking to PinkNews, he said: “There is no known medical test to detect homosexuality. I wonder what quackery the Kuwaiti authorities plan to invent in their vain attempt to identify gay men. It simply won’t work.

“Banning gay people from entering the country will deter foreign investors and companies. They won’t want to subject their employees to such barbaric, medieval humiliations.

“The proposal that this gay ban will apply across all Gulf Cooperation Countries will mean that gay players and spectators will be banned from attending the football world cup in Qatar in 2022. This contradicts previous assurances given to FIFA by the Qatar government that everyone will be welcome and that there will be no discrimination.

“FIFA now has no option but to cancel the world cup in Qatar. Allowing it to go head in these circumstances would involve FIFA colluding with homophobic discrimination.” » | Joseph Patrick McCormack | Tuesday, October 08, 2013

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