The FIFA World Cup is the most viewed sporting event in the world. Every four years, soccer fans from around the globe are able to witness this grand spectacle. And considering how big the event is, it's pretty obvious why so many countries bid to host it. Hosting the World Cup is a great honor that benefits the host nation without even winning. Unfortunately there will be no honor when Qatar hosts this legendary event in 2022.
Putting aside the fact that Qatar probably bought the World Cup bid (along with Russia), what's truly deplorable is its human rights violations in preparation for the World Cup. Amnesty International has recently released a damning report on the treatment of migrant workers at various World Cup construction sites.
The report describes abuses ranging from deception, unsafe working conditions, confiscation of passports (essentially trapping the workers in Qatar) and so on. Workers are also dying at an incredible rate due to these circumstances. In 2014, if the deaths of all the migrant groups were added up, the death toll would have been more than one death per day! While the Qatari government has promised to address the issue, not much has changed.
When taking all of the evidence into account, it becomes very clear that what is occurring is modern day slavery. As the UN currently continues to investigate the situation, FIFA is considering taking action if human rights violations continue. It's interesting to think that besides letting a well known financer of terrorism buy the World Cup, FIFA just simply turned a blind eye to the human rights abuses until now. This disgusting display of moral apathy showcases just how corrupt big sporting agencies can be and why the voices of the common people must be heard.
It has become very clear that Qatar is using the World Cup for propaganda; propaganda to draw attention away from it's various human rights violations. Human rights organizations must be relentless in their efforts to pressure corrupt dictatorial governments like these. FIFA must also address it's internal corruption. If these problems are properly addressed, the World Cup will have the potential to be a truly unifying force for soccer fans all around the globe.
