Audio By Carbonatix
Fifa has been urged to consider countries' human rights records as it prepares to discuss expanding the 2022 World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.
The event will be staged in Qatar, but matches could be played in other Gulf countries such as Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates.
Amnesty International's Stephen Cockburn said: "There are human rights risks associated with adding new hosts, not least the potential widespread exploitation of migrant workers providing construction services."
In an open letter to Fifa president Gianni Infantino a coalition, including Amnesty International, non-governmental organisations, trade unions and fans and players' groups, urged world football's governing body to "assess potential co-hosts to ensure the World Cup is not contributing or linked to human rights violations which are rife in the region".
The coalition also urged Fifa to adhere to its own Human Rights Policy,which is aimed at ensuring tournament hosts "monitor and enforce mechanisms for labour rights on stadium construction sites".
That policy, which was introduced in May 2017, also said that Fifa was "committed to respecting all internationally recognised human rights and shall strive to promote the protection of these rights".
In a statement, Fifa said its "stance and commitment to Human Rights are unequivocal and integrated in the hosting requirements of all our future tournaments in accordance with our Human Rights Policy.
"As the feasibility study that will be presented to the Fifa Council on Friday confirms, this would not be different in the case of a potential co-host already in 2022."
Latest Stories
-
The Ghanaian prophet and the mysterious death of his scottish wife Charmain Speirs
43 minutes -
Nearly 400 sentenced in Nigeria for links to militant Islamists
1 hour -
Ghana’s recovery supported by gold strength despite global oil price pressures – Standard Bank Research
1 hour -
‘Excellence is our inheritance’ – Nana Sam Brew-Butler hails Mfantsipim’s 150-year reign in leadership
2 hours -
Kwaku Azar writes: A-G vs OSP
2 hours -
Mfantsipim–Adisadel rivalry built excellence, not division – Sam Jonah
2 hours -
Vice President launches Mfantsipim’s 150 years of shaping Ghana’s greatest mind
2 hours -
I assure Otumfuo, Mahama will join him to commission KNUST Teaching Hospital by end of this year – Haruna Iddrisu
3 hours -
Barcelona dominate derby to extend La Liga lead
3 hours -
Gov’t to roll out free special education for persons with disabilities from July 1 – Education Minister
3 hours -
Importers and Exporters Association declares full support for Publican AI port system
4 hours -
“We used it to test our officiating officials’ readiness” – Bawah Fuseini after CAA Athletics event
4 hours -
Volleyball emerges as Ghana’s fastest rising sport
4 hours -
National Sports Fund needs strong leadership from the top – Administrator David Wuaku
4 hours -
JoySports Exclusive: Steve McLaren in talks with GFA after expressing interest in Black Stars job
4 hours