The FFF strikes back. On Friday, Amnesty International criticized the France team for not having taken a position to support migrant workers in Qatar, host country of the next World Cup (November 20-December 18). The NGO had thus given its symbolic support to Denmark, which the France team will face on Sunday in the League of Nations. What the French Football Federation (FFF) responded to on Saturday, December 24, in a press release.
“Amnesty International is an admirable organization that we respect. It is of course free to support Denmark and not France” explains the FFF, which “Nevertheless deplores this campaign of stigmatization” from the NGO. “The FFF and the France team are free to express themselves or not. They did not wait for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar to defend on a daily basis, on the ground, and at their level, the human rights, as well as other essential causes” continues the federation.
About the World Cup in Qatar, the FFF wants to be “very clear” and affirms that “participating does not mean turning a blind eye and endorsing”. “However, the organization of this World Cup has enabled social progress in Qatar that even some NGOs recognize, including Amnesty International” explains the body chaired by Noël Le Graët, which shows progress “undeniable and positive” in the Gulf country, although “the reality on the ground is not perfect”. In February 2021, an investigation by the English daily The Guardian estimated at least 6,500 the number of immigrant workers who died on the World Cup sites. The question of the reception of homosexual people was also raised, while homosexuality is prohibited in Qatar.
“The FFF is and will remain very vigilant regarding respect for human rights in Qatar. It has only chosen to act firmly but calmly and respectfully on the ground rather than making it an image campaign” argues the Federation, which claims to have implemented “various verification measures concerning the respect of social rights and the application of respectful working conditions on the base camp of the France team”.
Players from the Danish, Dutch and German teams have publicly denounced the working conditions of migrant workers in Qatar.
Why not the France team? #DANFRA
Encourage the Blues to follow the example! https://t.co/xOieD8pG5u pic.twitter.com/X8sAG0UpC5
— Amnesty International France (@amnestyfrance) September 23, 2022
Outraged “the possibility of creating a reception center for immigrant workers and the creation of a compensation fund”, “alongside other federations”the FFF also mentions “symbolic action to raise awareness among decision-makers and public opinion”. “The French team wore a One Love armband for diversity against Austria and will also wear it against Denmark in support of the defense of LGBTQ+ rights” she concludes, promising “other actions to come”.