Latest news with #MarkPieth
15-05-2025
- Politics
FIFA gets formal complaint of human rights oversight failure with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia
GENEVA -- A group of international lawyers filed a formal complaint to FIFA on Thursday claiming the soccer body is failing to uphold its human rights policy with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia. The filing using FIFA's own online portal for grievance reporting was made by FIFA's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and British barrister Rodney Dixon. Their offers to advise FIFA on human rights compliance were ignored before Saudi Arabia was confirmed last December as the 2034 host by acclamation without a rival bidder. 'As highlighted in this complaint, widespread human rights abuses continue to be perpetrated in Saudi Arabia, and no steps are being taken by FIFA to address these in the buildup to the World Cup,' the lawyers state in a 30-page document. 'Instead, it appears it is business as usual with no changes to be made,' the complaint said hours before FIFA opens its first annual congress of 211 member federations since the Saudi hosting win in an online meeting. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was due for an unprecedented last-minute arrival at the congress in Paraguay after joining U.S. President Donald Trump on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The oil-rich kingdom has repeatedly said it is increasing freedoms as part of the Vision 2030 program to modernize its society and economy. Infantino has tied FIFA's finances and politics closer to Saudi's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, since before the 2018 World Cup. Infantino and Trump then had meetings on Wednesday in neighboring Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host which faced a decade of intense scrutiny for its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers needed to build stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament. Saudi Arabia has begun a similarly massive construction program for the 2034 tournament which has more teams, more games and needs more stadiums which include designs more extravagant than the eight used in Qatar. 'Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the next host country despite its appalling human rights record, including violations relating to freedom of expression, arbitrary arrest, detention and mistreatment, migrants' rights and women's rights,' the lawyers' complaint said. FIFA's human rights policy was published in 2017 mandating bidders for the men's 2026 World Cup — being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — to'respecting international human rights and labor standards according to the United Nations' guiding principles.' In a recent letter to Human Rights Watch, which this week detailed alleged abuses of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, FIFA stated its 'steadfast commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of its operations.' The lawyers' complaint urges FIFA to see 'there remains an opportunity for meaningful reforms in Saudi Arabia, driven by the implementation of FIFA's obligations under its policy.'
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Fifa in breach of own human rights rule by holding World Cup in Saudi Arabia, say lawyers
Fifa are failing to follow their own human rights rules by holding the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia, a group of leading lawyers have alleged. The group, which includes Fifa's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, have filed a 30-page complaint via Fifa's official grievance portal and called for action in five key areas. Ahead of 2034, they have outlined the need to address freedom of expression and association; arbitrary arrests, mistreatment and the death penalty; judicial independence; migrants' rights; and women's rights. It is also argued that the bidding process in which Saudi Arabia emerged victorious from 'failed to ensure that human rights standards were met'. '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 complaint read. 'To date there is no evidence that such steps have been initiated, let alone that Fifa has any intention of doing so. This complaint highlights these failings so that they can be rectified without delay.' Also at the heart of the complaint was British barrister Rodney Dixon, who submitted a report warning Fifa of the risks of awarding such a mega-event to the Saudis a year ago. Saudi Arabia has emerged as the globe's leading sportswashing machine in the last decade, utilising major sporting events to launder a reputation tarnished by human rights abuses. While there is a belief that awarding sporting showcases to nations like Saudi Arabia will spark social development, it's often the case that the opposite is true as they have no incentive to stray from their way of operating. As such, the complaint also emphasises the need for Fifa to push Saudi Arabia to address key issues, with their no expectation that the Gulf state will alter by themselves. '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,' the complaint adds. 'To date, no such steps have been initiated by Fifa.'
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Fifa breaching own human rights rules over Saudi Arabian World Cup, lawyers say
A group of leading lawyers has submitted an official complaint to Fifa, alleging the governing body has failed to follow its own human rights rules in relation to the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. The 30-page complaint has been filed via Fifa's official grievance mechanism and calls for immediate action in five areas. The complaint has been authored by Fifa's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, the Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and the British barrister Rodney Dixon, who submitted a report to Fifa a year ago warning of the risks of awarding the tournament to the Gulf state. The complaint argues that the bidding process 'failed to ensure that human rights standards were met' and says: '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. 'To date there is no evidence that such steps have been initiated, let alone that Fifa has any intention of doing so. This complaint highlights these failings so that they can be rectified without delay.' 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,' the complaint says. 'This plan must incorporate minimum requirements … ensure their immediate implementation and establish robust mechanisms for ongoing monitoring. To date, no such steps have been initiated by Fifa.' This week Fifa faced criticism and demands for action over the treatment of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia. Reports by Human Rights Watch and FairSquare highlighted the risks faced by those involved in the vast development projects commissioned by the Saudi regime under the direction of the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The reports said workers continued to face severe risks to life and criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the deaths of migrant workers. In response to Human Rights Watch, Fifa wrote a letter stating: 'Fifa seeks to play its part in ensuring strong protections for workers employed by third parties in the construction of Fifa World Cup sites. This work involves a close collaboration with its Saudi counterparts and engagements with relevant international labour organisations … we are convinced that measures implemented … can set a new standard for worker protection.' Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Fifa has been approached for comment.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
FIFA gets formal complaint of human rights oversight failure with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia
GENEVA (AP) — A group of international lawyers filed a formal complaint to FIFA on Thursday claiming the soccer body is failing to uphold its human rights policy with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia. The filing using FIFA's own online portal for grievance reporting was made by FIFA's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and British barrister Rodney Dixon. Their offers to advise FIFA on human rights compliance were ignored before Saudi Arabia was confirmed last December as the 2034 host by acclamation without a rival bidder. 'As highlighted in this complaint, widespread human rights abuses continue to be perpetrated in Saudi Arabia, and no steps are being taken by FIFA to address these in the buildup to the World Cup,' the lawyers state in a 30-page document. 'Instead, it appears it is business as usual with no changes to be made,' the complaint said hours before FIFA opens its first annual congress of 211 member federations since the Saudi hosting win in an online meeting. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was due for an unprecedented last-minute arrival at the congress in Paraguay after joining U.S. President Donald Trump on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The oil-rich kingdom has repeatedly said it is increasing freedoms as part of the Vision 2030 program to modernize its society and economy. Infantino has tied FIFA's finances and politics closer to Saudi's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, since before the 2018 World Cup. Infantino and Trump then had meetings on Wednesday in neighboring Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host which faced a decade of intense scrutiny for its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers needed to build stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament. Saudi Arabia has begun a similarly massive construction program for the 2034 tournament which has more teams, more games and needs more stadiums which include designs more extravagant than the eight used in Qatar. 'Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the next host country despite its appalling human rights record, including violations relating to freedom of expression, arbitrary arrest, detention and mistreatment, migrants' rights and women's rights,' the lawyers' complaint said. FIFA's human rights policy was published in 2017 mandating bidders for the men's 2026 World Cup — being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — to'respecting international human rights and labor standards according to the United Nations' guiding principles.' In a recent letter to Human Rights Watch, which this week detailed alleged abuses of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, FIFA stated its 'steadfast commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of its operations.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
FIFA gets formal complaint of human rights oversight failure with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia
GENEVA (AP) — A group of international lawyers filed a formal complaint to FIFA on Thursday claiming the soccer body is failing to uphold its human rights policy with 2034 World Cup host Saudi Arabia. The filing using FIFA's own online portal for grievance reporting was made by FIFA's former anti-corruption adviser Mark Pieth, Swiss lawyer Stefan Wehrenberg and British barrister Rodney Dixon. Their offers to advise FIFA on human rights compliance were ignored before Saudi Arabia was confirmed last December as the 2034 host by acclamation without a rival bidder. 'As highlighted in this complaint, widespread human rights abuses continue to be perpetrated in Saudi Arabia, and no steps are being taken by FIFA to address these in the buildup to the World Cup,' the lawyers state in a 30-page document. 'Instead, it appears it is business as usual with no changes to be made,' the complaint said hours before FIFA opens its first annual congress of 211 member federations since the Saudi hosting win in an online meeting. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was due for an unprecedented last-minute arrival at the congress in Paraguay after joining U.S. President Donald Trump on a state visit to Saudi Arabia . The oil-rich kingdom has repeatedly said it is increasing freedoms as part of the Vision 2030 program to modernize its society and economy. Infantino has tied FIFA's finances and politics closer to Saudi's de facto ruler , Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, since before the 2018 World Cup. Infantino and Trump then had meetings on Wednesday in neighboring Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host which faced a decade of intense scrutiny for its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers needed to build stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament. Saudi Arabia has begun a similarly massive construction program for the 2034 tournament which has more teams, more games and needs more stadiums which include designs more extravagant than the eight used in Qatar. 'Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the next host country despite its appalling human rights record, including violations relating to freedom of expression, arbitrary arrest, detention and mistreatment, migrants' rights and women's rights,' the lawyers' complaint said. FIFA's human rights policy was published in 2017 mandating bidders for the men's 2026 World Cup — being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico — to'respecting international human rights and labor standards according to the United Nations' guiding principles.' In a recent letter to Human Rights Watch, which this week detailed alleged abuses of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, FIFA stated its 'steadfast commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights in the context of its operations.' The lawyers' complaint urges FIFA to see 'there remains an opportunity for meaningful reforms in Saudi Arabia, driven by the implementation of FIFA's obligations under its policy.' ___ AP soccer:
