Qatar chiefs respond to Socceroos

QATAR’S FIFA World Cup organising committee commended the Socceroos for raising “important matters” in an orchestrated release of videos by players but defended the nation’s efforts to improve the rights and lives of workers.

Sixteen members of the Australian national team, one of 32 sides competing at next month’s event, appeared in a video voicing concerns about Qatar’s human rights record and calling for further worker reforms as well as the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships.

Supported by similar statements from Football Australia and Professional Footballers Australia, the video, which made the Socceroos the first participant to collectively criticise the host nation, drew international headlines and a response from officials.

A spokesman for Qatar’s organising committee declared their priority was “protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker” but conceded no country, not even Australia, was “perfect” in that area.

“We commend footballers using their platforms to raise awareness for important matters,” the spokesman said in a statement.

“We have committed every effort to ensure that this World Cup has had a transformative impact on improving lives, especially for those involved in constructing the competition and non-competition venues we’re responsible for.

“Protecting the health, safety, security, and dignity of every worker contributing to this World Cup is our priority. The Qatari government’s labour reforms are acknowledged by the ILO, ITUC, and numerous human rights organisations as the benchmark in the region.

“New laws and reforms often take time to bed in, and robust implementation of labour laws is a global challenge, including in Australia.

“No country is perfect, and every country – hosts of major events or not – has its challenges.

“This World Cup has contributed to a legacy of progress, better practice and improving lives.”