CAF backs FIFA’s call to focus on football

London: FIFA’s call to unite and put politics and off-field issues aside ahead of the World Cup in Qatar has been endorsed by the Confederation of African Football. Controversy has surrounded Qatar’s hosting of the finals since they were awarded in 2010, with the country’s treatment of migrant workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships among the issues which have caused the most concern.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, wrote to the association leaders of the 32 competing nations last week urging them not to “allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists”. His counterpart at CAF, Patrice Motsepe, has given his support to the call, following a similar message of support from South American confederation CONMEBOL earlier this week. “We recognise that football has over the years been an important tool for bringing together and uniting people from different races, language groups and religious backgrounds,” Motsepe said. “The World Cup is an important global sporting event that brings together people from different countries and continents for the development and celebration of football worldwide and the advancement of humanity.” Ten member associations who are part of a UEFA working group on Qatar wrote a joint letter published on Sunday confirming they would continue to push FIFA regarding the creation of a migrant workers’ centre and a compensation fund. The letter from the 10 European associations acknowledged that “significant progress has been made by Qatar” in respect of the rights of migrant workers and that assurances have been made on the “safety, security and inclusion of all fans who travel to the World Cup, including LGBTQ+ fans”.