FIFA's recent decision to disregard a key recommendation from its human rights sub-committee regarding compensation for workers affected by the 2022 Qatar World Cup has drawn widespread criticism. The report, commissioned in 2023 and based on independent research, found that significant human rights abuses occurred during the tournament's preparation. These included worker deaths, injuries, unpaid wages, and substantial debts incurred by workers and their families to secure jobs. The sub-committee concluded that FIFA bore some responsibility for these issues, as its due diligence measures failed to prevent them. It recommended that FIFA use its £39.4 million "legacy fund" to compensate workers harmed during the World Cup. However, FIFA allocated the fund to broader global social programs, omitting any compensation for affected workers.
The report also shed light on the long-standing controversies surrounding the treatment of migrant workers in Qatar, particularly those involved in World Cup-related projects. Between 2010 and 2022, thousands of workers from South Asia reportedly died in Qatar, though the government disputes how many of these deaths were directly linked to the World Cup. While Qatar introduced labor reforms, including a minimum wage and dismantling the restrictive 'kafala' system, critics have questioned the effectiveness of these measures. Despite FIFA generating a record £6 billion from the tournament, it rejected calls for a £350 million compensation fund to address the harm suffered by workers. This decision has intensified criticism from human rights organizations, labor unions, and football fans who accuse FIFA of prioritizing profits over worker welfare.
Human rights groups like Amnesty International and Fair Square have condemned FIFA's actions, accusing the organization of failing to take accountability for the abuses tied to the tournament. Amnesty criticized FIFA for delaying the report's release for nearly a year and for ignoring its own committee’s recommendations. They argued that FIFA’s legacy fund does nothing for the workers who endured harsh conditions and urged the organization to take immediate responsibility. FIFA, however, defended its approach, highlighting the creation of a Workers’ Support and Insurance Fund in Qatar in 2018 and claiming that the legacy fund will support social programs worldwide. Critics remain unconvinced, labeling FIFA's response as inadequate and a betrayal of the workers who helped make the World Cup possible. This controversy underscores the broader ethical concerns about major sporting events and their human costs.
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