The FA have released a statement alongside nine other European football associations acknowledging ‘significant progress’ made by Qatar towards migrant workers and other human and labour rights, ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
The tournament kicks off in less than three weeks time and will be contested in the winter months for the first time ever, due to the extreme climate of Qatar.
Concerns over Qatar’s suitability to host the tournament have been rife ever since they were awarded the World Cup, with their consistently poor human rights laws and records posing significant worry.
A statement released on the official FA website reads: “With the FIFA World Cup Qatar beginning shortly, we would like to react to the latest developments and public discussions related to challenges in the host country off the pitch before the sport shall soon take centre stage.
“We acknowledge, and welcome, as we have done in the past, that significant progress has been made by Qatar, particularly with regards to the rights of migrant workers, with the impact of legislative changes demonstrated in the International Labour Organisation’s recent reports.”
It continued, addressing concerns over the safety of LGBTQ+ fans entering the country: “We welcome the assurances given by the Qatari Government and by FIFA regarding the safety, security and inclusion of all fans who travel to the World Cup, including LGBTQ+ fans.
“We also recognise that every country has issues and challenges and we agree with FIFA that diversity is a strength.
“However, embracing diversity and tolerance also means supporting human rights. Human rights are universal and they apply everywhere.”
The statement finishes by maintaining that all of the involved football associations will ‘continue to support the momentum for positive, progressive change and continue to advocate for a conclusive outcome and update on the two key outstanding issues we have been discussing with FIFA for a long time’ and acknowledged FIFA’s willingness to deliver answers to pressing questions.
Named at the bottom of the statement are the other involved football associations: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales.
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