2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia Endangers Lives: Rights Groups

"As international and local human rights organizations, labor unions, fan groups, and advocacy groups for migrant workers, we have consistently raised concerns about the serious human rights risks associated with Saudi Arabia hosting major sporting events," the coalition stated.

"By awarding the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without meaningful protections, FIFA has today decided both to ignore our warnings and discard its own human rights policies."

'Weak human rights'

FIFA's own evaluation report, released last month, considered Saudi's bid to be "medium risk" for human rights, adding that implementing reforms could take "significant effort and time".

Rights groups have long highlighted mass executions in Saudi Arabia and allegations of torture, as well as restrictions on women under the conservative country's male guardianship system.

Free expression is severely restricted, with some people handed lengthy jail terms over critical posts on social media.

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"FIFA can never claim that it did not know the severity of the risks of hosting its flagship event in a country with such weak human rights protections," said the statement. 

"Nor can the national Football Associations voting to approve it.

"It is evident that without urgent action and comprehensive reforms, the 2034 World Cup will be tarnished by repression, discrimination and exploitation on a massive scale." 

Saudi Arabia, which now hosts several high-profile events including Formula One, heavyweight boxing and tennis' WTA Finals, is often accused of "sportswashing" -- using sport to divert attention from its rights record.

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Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Labour Rights and Sport, said the decision to award the World Cup to Saudi Arabia "without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place" will put many lives at risk. 

"Based on clear evidence to date, FIFA knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless," he said. 

"The organisation risks bearing a heavy responsibility for many of the human rights abuses that will follow.

"At every stage of this bidding process, FIFA has shown its commitment to human rights to be a sham."

The organisations said they would mobilise over the coming decade to ensure the "violations and abuses of this World Cup" are not ignored.

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"FIFA must urgently change course and ensure that the World Cup is accompanied by wide-ranging reforms in Saudi Arabia, or risk a decade of exploitation, discrimination and repression connected to its flagship tournament," said Cockburn.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)