Fifa’s ‘morality police’

After England put on a magnificent display to defeat Iran 6-2 in their opening World Cup game, Fifa wants everyone to focus on the sport. However, unfortunately for their efforts to shut down criticism of human rights issues, this game was overshadowed by two of the most profound.

Just hours before the game, it emerged Fifa had threatened to book players if they wore a Onelove armband, created to promote diversity and inclusion and speak out against discrimination.

England captain Harry Kane, Wales’s Gareth Bale and several other team captains had planned to wear it, but this small token of solidarity was too much for Fifa. However, it was powerless to stop Iran’s players from using silence during their national anthem to suggest their support for anti-government protests at home over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was taken into custody by the state’s ‘morality police’.

It has always been difficult to separate sport and politics, but it becomes impossible when matters of life and death are involved. Fifa now finds itself attempting to defend the indefensible and acting as a form of ‘morality police’ for Qatar’s dictatorial rulers. In so doing, it is emboldening bigots in the West and giving succour to oppressive regimes worldwide.