Human rights organizations condemned Clifford Chance’s report on Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup for cherry-picking findings. They highlighted the absence of substantive discussion on significant human rights abuses, leading to questions about FIFA’s dealings with the Saudi regime. The report’s release precedes FIFA’s expected awarding of the World Cup to Saudi Arabia, drawing severe criticism and concerns about the country’s human rights record.
Human rights organizations have criticized the legal firm Clifford Chance for its inadequate evaluation of Saudi Arabia’s plans to host the 2034 World Cup. Eleven noted groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, condemned the firm for overlooking significant human rights violations recorded by numerous organizations and the UN. They asserted that the assessment was selectively curated, lacking external viewpoints, as FIFA and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation determined its scope. James Lynch, co-director of FairSquare, emphasized FIFA’s eagerness to facilitate Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in acquiring the World Cup, indicating that Clifford Chance’s report effectively eliminated a crucial hurdle in this process. He described the report as shockingly poor, questioning the law firm’s commitment to human rights, despite its prestigious standing in the field. Saudi Arabia’s track record on human rights reveals ongoing restrictions on free expression, women’s rights, and discrimination, alongside the controversial kafala system that binds workers to their employers. FIFA’s human rights policies were instituted in 2017, yet the organization’s focus shifted swiftly towards Saudi Arabia after the Qatar World Cup, culminating in the fast-tracked bidding process for the 2034 tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s social media proclamations of Saudi Arabia as the presumptive host have further weakened the integrity of the bidding process, raising eyebrows about transparency. Clifford Chance has a long history of partnerships with Saudi institutions and played a role in Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s wealth transfer efforts during the 2017 purge. The firm has collaborated with the Centre for Sport and Human Rights to assess human rights strategies for the 2026 World Cup hosts. In the face of criticisms from human rights advocates, Clifford Chance declined to elaborate on their published findings. An extraordinary FIFA congress is scheduled for December 11, where it is anticipated that the 2034 World Cup will be awarded to Saudi Arabia.
The criticism leveled against Clifford Chance stems from a collective of human rights organizations alarmed by the imminent 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. With a history mired in human rights violations, including oppression of free speech and discriminatory practices, the country draws scrutiny as it prepares for the global event. This evaluation has highlighted the collaboration between FIFA, Saudi Arabia, and Clifford Chance in shaping a narrative that seems to prioritize sport over human dignity.
In summary, human rights groups have united against Clifford Chance for its superficial assessment of Saudi Arabia’s human rights landscape in relation to the upcoming World Cup. The allegations of selective reporting and lacking external viewpoints reveal deeper issues within FIFA’s dealings with the Saudi government, raising serious questions about ethical practices in the global sports arena. As the countdown to the 2034 World Cup intensifies, the implications of these discussions remain crucial to watch.
Original Source: www.insideworldfootball.com
