At a tightly-managed event in Doha ahead of Friday’s World Cup draw, Lise Klaveness’s speech upset consensus when she said FIFA should act as a “model” and called on the organization to do more to support the families of migrant workers who had been killed and those injured were working on the World Cup project. “Our game can inspire dreams and break down obstacles, but as leaders we must do it right and to the highest standards,” said Klaveness, a former Norwegian international. “We can not ignore the calls for change and how FIFA runs the game has so much to say about how the game is perceived. FIFA must act as a standard. “In 2010 the World Cups were awarded by FIFA in unacceptable ways with unacceptable consequences. Human rights, equality and democracy – the core interests of football – were not in the starting line-up. These basic rights were pushed on the field as substitutes, mainly by outside voices. “FIFA has addressed these issues, but there is still a long way to go.” Klaveness went on to call for concrete reforms. “Immigrant workers who were injured or the families of those who died during the World Cup must be cared for,” he said. “FIFA, all of us, must take all measures to implement the change. It is vital that the current leadership continues in this way wholeheartedly. There is no room for employers who do not ensure the safety of employees, there is no room for hosts who can not host the women’s game, who can not legally guarantee the safety and respect of LGBTQ + people who come to this theater of dreams. “I am afraid that our stadiums will be empty in the future, if we ignore the urgency of the moment.” The Norwegian president’s speech was followed by an unexpected speech by Honduran FA secretary general Jose Ernesto Mejia, who said it was not “the right forum or the right time” to make such remarks. The Secretary-General of the Supreme Commission for Tradition and Heritage (SC), Hassan al-Thawadi, then gave a passionate speech defending the steps Qatar has taken since winning the right to host the World Cup. He said the country had undertaken “12 years of continuous work” dedicated to ensuring that this tournament would leave truly transformative social, human, economic and environmental legacies to be remembered. We know very well the spotlight that comes with hosting the most important show in the world and we have embraced it “. Hassan al-Thawadi, secretary general of the Supreme Committee on Tradition and Heritage, responds to Qatar. Photo: Noushad Thekkayil / EPA Towadi said the most important legacy of the World Cup would be to correct the prejudices that saw the Arab world as a place of conflict. He said he also wanted to reassure those interested in a social heritage, citing positive reports from international unions about the development of workers’ rights. “Our opponents have become allies,” he said.[and] “Even our harshest critics, such as Amnesty, acknowledge our commitment.” He also criticized Klaveness for not speaking privately to the SC about Norway’s concerns. “On [the issue of a] “Social heritage, I would like to assure the Norwegian Federation,” he said. “[But] I would like to express a disappointment. The President visited our country and did not request a meeting. He did not attempt a dialogue before addressing Congress today. We were always open to dialogue, we always welcomed constructive criticism. “We have always had the door open for anyone who wants to understand the issues, who wants to educate himself before judging.” The Guardian understands that Klaveness addressed Thawadi personally about Qatar’s social heritage as part of a UEFA working group that has visited the country. There was also controversy a moment later in Congress when FIFA President Gianni Infantino released a video documenting Qatar’s progress on workers and human rights since winning the World Cup. The video said the SC played a key role in ending the kafala system in the country and featured Ambet Yuson, general secretary of Building and Woodworkers’ International, praising the improvements in employee safety. “The health and safety standards at stadiums are at the same level as the health and safety standards in Europe,” Yuson said. Quick guide
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Thank you for your response. The video also showed Piara Powar, CEO of the Fare Network campaigning for equality in football, talking about a dialogue about the safety of LGBTQ + supporters in Qatar, where homosexuality remains illegal. Although Powar is said to be positive about the process, the Guardian understands that he also expressed concerns about the continuing lack of guarantees for the safety of supporters, remarks that are not in the video. On Thursday, 16 LGBTIQ + rights organizations called on the SC to act on the safety of supporters, saying action was slow and that “assurances about the safety of LGBTIQ + individuals and the mechanisms in place to ensure security were not sufficient “. The organizations said they had submitted eight requests for action to FIFA and the SC, but have not yet received a response from the latter. Infantino announced that he was going to run for a second four-year term as president.
