Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of Labour Rights and Sport, said: ‘Fifa’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk.
Following the confirmation of Saudi Arabia as a host nation, a statement by Saudi diaspora human rights groups, migrant workers’ organisations from Nepal and Kenya and international trade unions condemned it as a ‘moment of great danger’.
Football fans will be banned from drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia during the 2034 World Cup – without any exceptions.
‘Based on clear evidence to date, Fifa knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless.
That will not be the case in Saudi Arabia, however, as confirmed by Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, ambassador to the UK.
