The international football federation FIFA has awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Traditionalists, humanitarian organizations, and fan groups have criticized this decision. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International urged FIFA to halt the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, arguing that, among other issues, the human rights strategy submitted with Saudi Arabia's bid was inadequate and flawed.
Mega sporting events and human rights are also the focus of a new documentary film produced by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer, head of the Chair of Sport and Health Management, and other international partners.
The film, titled "EventRights: Progressing Human Rights in Sport Events," was created as a result of the research project of the same name, "EventRights."
The documentary highlights the potential of mega-sporting events, such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, to act as catalysts for societal change. It explores how such events can spark progressive social transformations in host communities, drive societal development, and draw attention to human rights issues.
"With this film, we aim to showcase the opportunities these events offer while also addressing the often-overlooked risks to human rights. By promoting transparency and accountability, we hope to bring about much-needed changes towards ethical practices in sports," explains Prof. Königstorfer.
Examining the complex relationship between mega sport events and human rights, the film is released as the FIFA World Cup host nations are announced for the 2030 and 2034 tournaments. Recent mega sport events have faced criticism for infringing human rights including those associated with labour exploitation, housing displacement, LBBTQI+ and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
Lead academic director of the film, Professor David McGillivray, from the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events at UWS, said: “This film shines a spotlight on the historical and contemporary struggles to ensure mega sport events protect and respect, rather than infringe, human rights in their bidding, planning and delivery. It also highlights how academic and non-academic partners can work together to produce research than informs and influence change in the practices of sport governing bodies and governments around the world.”
Produced as the final output of the EventRights research project, it highlights findings from a five-year investigation into the human rights challenges posed by mega sporting events, while proposing strategies to ensure future events are rights-respecting, protecting, and promoting.
World Cup in Saudi Arabia 2034
Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have voiced significant concerns, emphasising the urgent need for comprehensive and credible human rights strategies as conditions for hosting such events.
Director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, Andrea Florence, commented: “Mega sporting events should be a celebration of achievement and unity, not a source of suffering or inequality. It’s vital that sport governing bodies adopt and enforce robust human rights frameworks to protect everyone potentially impacted by these events: from athletes and fans to workers, local residents, journalists and human rights defenders."
This film serves as a call to action for sport governing bodies and governments to prioritise human rights, ensuring that mega sport events benefit all and leave a legacy of equity and respect. EventRights project coordinator, Professor Joerg Koenigstorfer, said: “Mega sporting events have the power to inspire and unite, but only if they are managed responsibly and inclusively.
Since 2018, EventRights has united academic institutions from the UK, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Austria, USA, Canada, Brazil, and Japan with sport organisations and human rights organisations— including the Sport & Rights Alliance—fostering inclusive and sustainable practices in mega sporting events.
To the Homepage of the Chair of Sport and Health Management
To the film "EventRights: Progressing Human Rights in Sport Events"
To the homepage of the EventRights research project
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Jörg Königstorfer
Chair of Sport and Health Management
Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62
80992 München
Phone.: 089 289 24558
E-Mail: joerg.koenigstorfer(at)tum.de
Text: Bastian Daneyko/UWS
Photos: private/EventRights