A recent report commissioned by FIFA has shed light on the responsibility of football’s governing body to compensate workers who suffered during the hosting of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The long-awaited report, released by FIFA’s sub-committee on human rights and social responsibility, highlighted several key findings regarding human rights abuses related to the tournament.
According to the report, FIFA took steps to address human rights issues during the delivery of the tournament but fell short in meeting the primary recommendation of using the Qatar Legacy Fund to compensate affected workers. Instead, FIFA announced that the funds would be allocated to other programs that do not directly benefit workers in Qatar.
The independent study, conducted by ‘Human Level’, emphasized the severe human rights impacts experienced by workers connected to the tournament, including deaths, injuries, unpaid wages, and significant debt. While the report acknowledged that primary responsibility lies with employers and the Qatari government, it also stressed FIFA’s obligation to take additional measures to provide remedy to affected workers.
World Cup organizers reported 40 deaths directly linked to the tournament, although human rights groups estimate a much higher number. The report recommended that FIFA utilize the Qatar Legacy Fund to compensate impacted workers and their families.
Despite these recommendations, FIFA announced that the $50 million Legacy Fund would be used for social programs globally in collaboration with Qatar, the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. FIFA defended this decision as a pragmatic and transparent initiative to help those in need worldwide.
In light of these findings, FIFA has integrated human rights considerations into its bidding process for future tournaments. The evaluation report for Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid deemed the human rights risk assessment as “medium”. The decision on the tournament’s host will be made at the FIFA Congress on December 11, where the Saudi bid is unopposed.
The report’s publication has sparked discussions about FIFA’s commitment to addressing human rights abuses in the context of international sporting events. As the organization continues to navigate these complex issues, it remains to be seen how FIFA will uphold its responsibility to respect human rights in future tournaments.
