Fifa needs to revisit its business model

THE men’s Fifa World Cup in Qatar is under way to much controversy. I do not really follow sports, but the uproar around this year’s World Cup caught my attention.

Many analysts and critics have taken up different issues such as the alcohol ban, working conditions and criminalisation of same-sex relationships. Despite their criticism, these same people enjoy the affluent entertainment, luxuries and treats made possible by host countries and workers.

International sporting events like the Fifa World Cup offers an opportunity to fans to enjoy sports, it also provides a chance to draw attention to the waste of resources that these mega sporting events are; a drain on economies, and on the lives of the working class and less-privileged.

Fifa places taxing terms on host countries and walks away with profits generated from the event. How is the huge economic cost incurred by building costly stadiums, hotels and other infrastructure to host fans and the World Cup itself, recovered, when Fifa takes the income and no taxes are levied?

Together with addressing human rights’ violations around the globe, Fifa and the organisers of other mega sporting events need to revisit their business models away from creating inequality and repression.