ILGA demands World Cup changes from FIFA in open letter
“If sport has the power to bring people together in equality, this men’s World Cup is failing spectacularly,” the letter reads.
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA) World and ILGA Asia have issued an open letter to FIFA president Gianni Infantino that calls for non-discrimination commitments to be upheld.
In the letter the international federation of more than 1800 organisations from over 160 countries advocating for the human rights of LGBTI persons question FIFA’s credibility and commitment to human rights, demanding the treatment of LGBTQ+ fans to be rectified.
“The football men’s World Cup in Qatar has only just started, and the credibility of FIFA in its commitment to human rights is already entirely questionable,” the letter starts.
“Many LGBTQ football fans from all over the world have been left wondering whether they could have made their way to safely enjoy the games,” it continues, noting it took only a few days for “ambiguous reassurances” from FIFA and the Qatari Supreme Committee “to crumble under the weight of appalling statements and actions.”
The letter adds that football players have also been impacted by being forced to choose between fairness to the game and LGBTQ+ solidarity after threats of sanctions over One Love armbands.
Additionally, rainbow-themed accessories have been confiscated from being brought into the stadium for the games; homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable with prison sentences and even death.
“Similar fate awaited other fans, too,” the letter adds. “Meanwhile, the echo of your questionable speech trying to defend Qatar’s human rights record has not dispersed yet.
The letter argues that despite FIFA’s Sustainability Strategy for the World Cup and the presence of an independent human rights working group, “actions are speaking louder than words and earlier assurances: freedom of expression and non-discrimination are not being upheld during this World Cup.”
“Despite the many meetings that FIFA held over the years with human rights organisations, and the commitments that were made, what is happening is extremely concerning and should be addressed with the utmost urgency.”
The letter goes on to emphasise that FIFA and its commitment to human rights for all is missing the mark: “If sport has the power to bring people together in equality, this men’s World Cup is failing spectacularly.”
“We trust that FIFA will change course from now on, do all in its power to meaningfully commit to human rights for all, and rebuild trust that these days and months have so seriously tarnished,” the letter concludes.
ILGA’s open letter follows mounting criticism for Qatar which has included many in the footballing world speaking out against Qatar’s World Cup hosting including England footballers Jake Daniels and Beth Mead, Scotland’s Zander Murray, and Australia’s Josh Cavallo.
Dr Nas Mohamed, the world’s only publicly LGBTQ Qatari, shared with Attitude: “I’ll never go back to Qatar. I’m certain I’d lose my life.”
Adding: “Every country that has a team it’s sending to Qatar needs to petition its government to petition FIFA.”
The FIFA World Cup will be held until 18 December 2022.
Attitude has approached FIFA for comment.