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FIFA report praises Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup bid
- Sports
- December 1, 2024
- No Comment
- 33
Despite concerns over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, soccer’s governing body has expressed confidence that the kingdom can host the 2034 World Cup. Amnesty International called the FIFA report a “shocking whitewash”. FIFA released a report on Saturday on Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup, with Saudi Arabia the only country that wants to host the tournament in 2034., and whose de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is cozying up to FIFA president Gianni. Infantino.FIFA’s report gave Saudi Arabia high marks, describing the kingdom’s bid as presenting “low” environmental and “moderate” human rights risks. Late last year, Saudi Arabia submitted its bid to host the 2034 tournament (which was only open to Asia and Oceania countries) – while Morocco, Spain and Portugal, along with Argentina,Submitting a joint bid for 2030, Paraguay and Uruguay are also set to host one match each during the centenary edition of the tournament. The fate of Saudi Arabia’s bid, as well as the 2030 hosts, will be determined on December 11, when FIFA’s 211 national football federations hold a virtual meeting. According to FIFA, the Saudi bid presents a very strong all-round proposal, as shown by the results of the technical evaluation, which includes the proposed infrastructure.(both sporting and general) as well as its commercial potential.” FIFA highlighted the “substantial hospitality proposition” from Saudi Arabian organizers as another potential revenue stream. Evidence of this, FIFA’s report expressed hope that the tournament could signal a change. In Saudi Arabia’s repressive society, “with respect to human rights, the work involved in implementing various measures … particularly in certain areas i, can involve significant effort and time.” Human rights organization Amnesty International issued a statement Saturday condemning the report, calling it “a shocking whitewash.” “Saudi Arabia’s World FIFA’s assessment of the Cup is a shocking whitewash of the country’s atrocious human rights record. record,” said Steve Cockburn, head of labor rights and sport at Amnesty. “Exploitation of workers by sports organization