The FIFA World Cup in Qatar has highlighted the phenomenon of sportswashing and the problems that are associated with it. Upon winning the bid to host the competition in 2010, there have been continual critiques of the country’s human rights records, treatment of journalists, and the persecution of homosexuality. It has shown that more must be done to stop sportswashing in the future.

FIFA and other international sporting organisations are operating without any oversight or regulations, allowing them to centralise power with a small number of people. Governments must pressure these organisations to not allow this form of soft power projection from states looking to cover up their human rights abuses.

Policy Paper – Owen Sutherland, December 2022

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