‘Focus on Football’, FIFA Appeals To World Cup Nations
FIFA have written to the participating World Cup nations, appealing with them to “focus on the football” in Qatar, and not let the sport be dragged into ideological or political battles.
The letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the governing body’s secretary general Fatma Samoura follows a number of protests made by World Cup teams, on issues ranging from LGBTIQ rights, to concerns over the treatment of migrant workers.
Australia’s football team last week spoke out against Qatar’s record on human rights and same-sex relationships. Denmark’s players will travel to the World Cup without their families as a protest against the country’s human rights record, the Danish FA (DBU) told local media last month.
“Please, let’s now focus on the football!,” Infantino said in the letter to the 32 nations contesting the World Cup. “We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.”
“But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.”
The World Cup, the first held in the Middle East, starts on November 20th. The organisers have said that everyone, no matter their sexual orientation or background, is welcome, while also warning against public displays of affection.
Qatar has acknowledged there are “gaps” in its labour system, but the World Cup has allowed the country to make progress on worker rights.
“At FIFA, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world,” Infantino said in the letter.
“One of the great strengths of the world is indeed its very diversity, and if inclusion means anything, it means having respect for that diversity. No one people or culture or nation is ‘better’ than any other.”
“This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination. And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let’s all remember that and let football take centre stage,” Infantino added.
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters/FIFA.
