As you have gathered from some of my previous posts, I’m
pretty opinionated when it comes to issues surrounding human rights, health and
well-being. However I think few things have upset me more than reports of the
slavery, corruption and utter disregard for human life surrounding FIFA and the
staging of the 2022 world cup in Qatar.
I am not alone in my distress as
demonstrated by the similar levels of outrage expressed by guests on The
“Marian Finucane Show” on 26th July.I will openly admit to having very little interest in soccer,
so the world cup isn’t something I feel particularly passionate about. This
contrasts with the position of others who are keen soccer fans, who also
believe that the situation is intolerable and that the tournament should be
boycotted.
Speaking on the Marian Finucane
show on R.T.E.1, Minister Varadkar suggested that boycotting the tournament
would be the “brave“ thing to do , whereas others placed the need for action in
the hands of the corporate sponsors. However it was suggested that the only way
in which the sponsors would be driven to act, would be if pressure to do so
came from their customers. It’s disappointing to think that the gulf between
ethical behaviour and economic gain is such that it is only if profits are
threatened that corporate sponsors will be motivated to act.
The panellists
appeared quite resigned to the fact that we “the people” are as apathetic in relation
to the complete disregard for human life as those in FIFA appear to be. It was
as if the panellists felt that the population would consider the entertainment
value of each world cup match, more important than the average of 62 lives lost
per match staged. This resembles ancient Roman gladiatorial fights, where
people die for the entertainment of others. I for one hope and believe that we
in Ireland have not got our priorities that mixed up.
In my opinion any country who has signed up to the UN
Convention on human rights should Boycott the world cup, not only withdrawing
from participation, but also refuse to televise it, unless
adequate measures are taken to safeguard and protect the lives of those
involved in facilitating the staging of the tournament .
If this cannot be achieved, what’s to stop the countries in
which human rights are protected and recognised hosting a UN cup?
Why don’t we, the Irish, step up “show we’ve got balls” and
Boycott the tournament.
We can be heroes, leaders and be confident to do so, what
have we got to lose? The world cup, I doubt it!
