A speech by FIFA president Gianni Infantino is broadcasted on a screen at a ceremony in Saudi capital Riyadh during the FIFA congress for the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup. Photo: AFP
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has acknowledged concerns raised by human rights advocates regarding the decision to host the FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA announced its decision to award the FIFA 2034 Men’s World Cup to the Kingdom in the Middle East on Thursday, immediately attracting condemnation from human rights groups from across the world.
Campaign organisations, such as Human Rights Watch, accuse Saudi Arabia of “sports washing” to deflect from its human rights record. While football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, has said the 2034 event “will be the best ever.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the decision was made “by consensus, by agreement, by compromise between everyone.”
The OFC, one of FIFA’s six confederations, said in a statement to RNZ Pacific that it “respects and supports FIFA’s decision-making processes and its commitment to its Human Rights Policy.”
“FIFA has outlined its commitment to respect and promote internationally recognised human rights as part of its hosting agreements and broader governance,” the OFC said.
“The decision to host the World Cup in Saudi Arabia is seen as an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, foster positive change, and promote the values of football, including inclusion, respect, and unity in the region,” it added.
It said Saudi Arabia has in recent years “made remarkable strides in advancing football at all levels, positioning the sport as a key element in the nation’s ongoing economic, social, and cultural transformation.”
The OFC said that while it understands that such decisions can prompt differing perspectives it shares FIFA’s goals to ensure that football can serve as a catalyst for constructive social change.
“FIFA continues to engage with all relevant stakeholders to address these concerns in a transparent and proactive manner.
“We believe football has the unique ability to inspire and connect people globally, and the FIFA World Cup provides a powerful platform to advance these objectives.”
RNZ Pacific has also sent requests to a dozen OFC member nations in the region, requesting for their reaction views on the the decision.
We are yet to receive a response.
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Australia’s professional soccer players union has condemned the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, saying significant human rights risks are attached to the tournament.
New Zealand’s loss has been Saudi Arabia’s gain after FIFA confirmed the men’s Football World Cup would be heading back to the Middle East in 2034. Saudi Arabia were the sole bid for this tournament… Audio
FIFA also confirmed the 2030 edition would be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries.
Analysis: However, protests over human rights will fall on deaf ears, David Mark writes.
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