On Thursday, Amnesty International published an open letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In the letter, the human rights group demanded that FIFA pay billions to the migrant workers who had worked with the World Cup in Qatar.
– FIFA must set aside at least 4.3 billion kroner for the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers experiencing human rights abuses in Qatar ahead of this year’s championships, they wrote in the letter.
Amnesty UK has also sought support from the English Football Association (FA) and England coach Gareth Southgate.
Amnesty Norway does the same.
RIGHT AROUND: The Qatar 2022 World Cup is just six months away. Following from the construction of the stadium in connection with the tournament. Photo: Giuseppe Cacace / AFP / NTB
see more
Sign up for NFF support
Director John Peder Egenæs said they were in dialogue with the Norwegian Football Association (NFF).
– We are in close contact with the football association. We are working with them and hope they will support the proposal.
Dagbladet has tried to contact the Norwegian Football Association, so far to no avail.
He believes the proposal is based on one of the points in football president Lise Klaveness’ shocking speech.
– His statement goes in the same direction. Namely, that in addition to working for the future, you also have a responsibility to those who have suffered losses in connection with preparations for Qatar.
Klaveness sent shockwaves across the football world when he spoke at the FIFA Congress in March. The newly elected president of football did not hold back and went against FIFA and Qatar.
– In 2010, the World Cup was awarded by FIFA in an unacceptable manner with unacceptable consequences, said Klaveness from the podium.
He continued:
– There is no room for employers who do not guarantee the freedom and safety of World Cup workers. There is no room for a leader who cannot host women’s football. There is no room for a host who cannot legally guarantee the safety and respect of the LGBTQ+ people who come there,
– The person everyone wants to talk to
Wild profit
The amount of NOK 4.3 billion requested by Amnesty is no coincidence.
– This is the amount set aside as prize money for association football and players from participating countries. If you can afford to pay that much to unions and players, we think it’s reasonable compensation for the workers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino delivers a speech during a meeting of the 46th UEFA Congress and Executive Committee at the Messe Wien Exhibition Congress Center in Vienna, Austria on May 11, 2022. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP)
see more
According to Egenæs, FIFA had been expecting a wild advantage.
– FIFA has budgeted with a profit of around sixty billion kroner so it’s not the big percentage we’re asking for.
FIFA has been aware of the proposal for a while now, but has yet to provide a public response.
– They had said they would consider it, Egens concluded.
“Infuriatingly humble coffee guru. Travel practitioner. Freelance zombie fanatic. Certified problem solver. Food scholar. Student.”
