BERLIN, Dec. 11 (dpa/EP) –
The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) will present a note of protest this Wednesday before the FIFA Congress over the awarding of the 2030 World Cups, which will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, and 2034, in Saudi Arabia.
FIFA plans to officially elect the hosts of the 2030 and 2034 World Cups in a single vote at the extraordinary virtual congress. A large majority is expected, given that the Saudis are the only candidates for 2034. For 2030, the only candidates will be Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with some parties in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay to celebrate the centenary of the World Cup.
“The NFF cannot support a process that it considers flawed and incompatible with the principles of FIFA reforms,” the federation said in a statement on Tuesday. In the event that tournaments are awarded by acclamation, the NFF will abstain. The Norwegians’ criticism is not directed directly at the chosen hosts – Saudi Arabia has been harshly criticized for violating human rights – but at the procedure.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino initiated the double awarding of the tournament just over a year ago. Following the scandal surrounding the double awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar, FIFA had previously ruled out this procedure as part of important reforms in 2016.
“The Executive Committee is of the opinion that the procedure does not conform to the principles of a sound governance system. By abstaining from the acclamation, we are consciously signaling that we cannot support FIFA’s approach,” the NFF said.
Human rights group ALQST warned that hosting the 2034 Men’s World Cup in Saudi Arabia could “cover up human rights abuses committed by Saudi authorities.” “It is vital that this is not allowed to happen,” ALQST, a group founded by Saudi activist Yayha Assiri that operates from Britain, told dpa.
FIFA spoke of a “medium risk” in terms of human rights in an evaluation report on the organization of the World Cup in Saudi Arabia. However, several rights groups have warned of the danger, such as ALQST, which said in a report on Monday that Saudi authorities have carried out a record number of known executions this year (309), despite the crown prince’s promises. Mohammed bin Salman to limit the use of the death penalty.
“Saudi Arabia and its young, football-obsessed population are no less deserving than any other country to host such an event. The problem is that given the prevalence of rights abuses in the country – which the bid does not adequately address – the risks are simply too high, even for migrant workers, citizens and residents and visitors,” ALQST told dpa.
In his opinion, “unless important human rights reforms and guarantees are secured”, foreign visitors will face uncertainty in 2034, “including around the impact of discriminatory laws and harsh restrictions on fundamental freedoms , like freedom of expression”. “However, it is those living within the country who will be most directly and negatively affected,” he added.
In recent years, reforms have been initiated in the Gulf kingdom in various areas, such as women’s rights, and Saudi Arabia has made large investments in entertainment and sports, which rights groups have criticized as image-washing. . There was a similar dispute ahead of Qatar 2022, the first World Cup in the Gulf region and the Muslim world.