FIFA World Cup: Socceroos protest human rights abuses in Qatar

The Socceroos have released a powerful video protesting human rights abuses and the shocking working conditions of migrant labour in FIFA World Cup host Qatar. WATCH IT HERE

Sixteen Socceroos were part of the video protest. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

The Socceroos, through 16 of their stars, have made the courageous move to become the first World Cup nation to use their collective voice to protest Qatar’s human rights record in a bold statement ahead of next month’s tournament.

Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup was a controversial one, not least of all because of the country’s controversial same-sex relationship laws and treatment of migrant workers, issues which have bubbled along uncomfortably alongside the promotion of the sport’s showpiece event.

This week, its ruler sheik Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani blasted the ‘unprecedented campaign’ of criticism of the Arab nation – while Australian-born gay rights activist Peter Tatchell claimed to have been “arrested and interrogated” after staging a one-man protest of their “anti-gay” policies.

A message from our @Socceroos on the @FIFAWorldCup#SupportingThePlayerspic.twitter.com/bUqW2pne1w

— Professional Footballers Australia (@thepfa) October 26, 2022

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable by up to three years in prison.

Australia’s Group D rivals Denmark had committed to a protest via their World Cup jersey – which includes an all-black option to honour the workers who died during the construction of stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament – while players from nine countries will wear “One Love” armbands.

But no nation has made such a public stance as the Socceroos via the three-minute video released by the players association on Thursday.

“Addressing these issues is not easy. And we do not have all the answers,” the players said in the statement.

“We stand with FIFPro, the Building and Wood Workers International, and the International Trade Union Confederation, seeking to embed reforms and establish a lasting legacy in Qatar.

“This must include establishing a migrant resource centre, effective remedy for those who have been denied their rights, and the decriminalisation of all same-sex relationships.

“These are the basic rights that should be afforded to all and will ensure continued progress in Qatar … (and) a legacy that goes well beyond the final whistle of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”

The Socceroos are the first World Cup team to make a collective protest against the human rights abuses within Qatar. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

The Qatar tournament has been plagued by reports into the deaths of migrant workers – with the Guardian suggesting 6500 workers had lost their lives while working in oppressive heat over the past decade.

Qatar strongly denies this figure – arguing that this was the total number of deaths of migrants in Qatar through the 12 year period since being awarded the tournament, unrelated to those working on the construction of World Cup sites – while the International Labor Organisation had a more conservative estimation of 50 deaths in 2020.

Significantly, Socceroos captain Mat Ryan is among the 16 players – which also includes likely Qatar-bound stars Kye Rowles, Jamie Maclaren, Jackson Irvine, Mitchell Duke and penalty-shootout hero Andrew Redmayne.

“By achieving the pinnacle in representing their country at the FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Socceroos, through no action on their part, find themselves in the midst of what is likely the most profound human rights issue to affect global sport,” said Professional Footballers Association co-chief executives Kathryn Gill and Beau Busch in a separate statement.

Qatar imported thousands of labourers to prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Picture: Jewel Samad/AFP

“They know what values define our sport when it is at its best and they know that football’s impact on people should be universally positive.

“They also know that when those values are absent, or if football has caused harm, they have a platform to make a stand.

“The players recognise that their views may not be universally popular.

“Some will believe they have not gone far enough while others will call on them to stick to football and stay out of “politics”, despite this being a matter of human rights.

“This polarity says much about the courage of the players and also the increasingly fractured nature of the world.

“In the absence of leadership from administrators tasked with awarding hosting rights and managing the tournament, it has fallen to players, coaches and fans to provide moral leadership.”