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FIFA report recommends stripping Qatar of 2022 World Cup if human rights abuses don’t stop
It’s not the alleged corruption that looks likely to bring down Qatar 2022.
Warren Little/Getty Images
A report that FIFA commissioned themselves has recommended that Qatar be stripped of the 2022 World Cup if they don’t show progress on mitigating human rights abuses.
One of the recommendations by Harvard professor John Ruggie reads, “FIFA should set explicit human rights requirements of Local Organising Committees in bidding documents for tournaments and provide guidance on them.”
“FIFA can’t impose human rights on countries but in return for hosting a tournament there are certain human rights to which you should have to adhere,” said Ruggie in an interview with The Guardian. “If you can’t, you have to make tough decisions. That may include having to terminate an existing relationship.” Give the entire piece a read.
Goal of the day
In the news
In light of the bit about video replay, Serie A is going to start testing it. (Football Italia)
Luis Enrique has taken the blame for Barcelona’s Champions League exit. (BBC)
The team that beat them, Atlético Madrid, don’t want to draw rivals Real Madrid. (AS)
A referee has been taken off a Tottenham Hotspur match because he lives in Leicester and has attended games as a fan. (Telegraph)
West Ham are getting the Olympic stadium cheap and taxpayers are footing the bill for maintenance. (Mirror)
Jurgen Klinsmann has been forced to deny that he wants the Everton job. (ESPN FC)
You should be reading
Ian King on the mess that is Leyton Orient. (Two Hundred Percent)
Tim Vickery on Barcelona’s front three needing a serious rest. (ESPN FC)
All Blue Daze on the Scotland team that disappointed at the 1978 World Cup. (These Football Times)
What happened on Wednesday
Man United knocked West Ham out of the FA Cup. (Guardian)
What to watch on Thursday (click for listings, all times ET)
Europa League: 4 games (3 p.m.) -- Dortmund-Liverpool is the one to watch.
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