A group of prominent lawyers has filed a complaint with FIFA, alleging the organization has not adhered to its own human rights standards concerning the selection of Saudi Arabia as the host nation for the 2034 World Cup. The complaint, backed by notable legal experts like former anti-corruption advisor Mark Pieth, outlines serious failures in the bidding process and calls for immediate action in five critical areas, including freedom of expression and the treatment of migrants. The lack of existing plans from FIFA for safeguarding human rights is a significant concern highlighted in this complaint, which seeks urgent redress.
Fifa's decision to approve Saudi Arabia as the next host country now places Fifa, in accordance with its own policy, under an obligation to ensure that internationally recognised human rights are upheld in Saudi Arabia.
The five areas outlined relate to freedom of expression and association; arbitrary arrests, mistreatment and the death penalty; judicial independence; migrants' rights; and women's rights.
Fifa must develop a concrete and transparent action plan in collaboration with the Saudi authorities, rather than relying on the host state to act unilaterally.
To date, there is no evidence that such steps have been initiated, let alone that Fifa has any intention of doing so.
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