"Fifa reform could be human rights landmark, says Harvard professor", 18 Feb 2016

The Harvard professor overseeing a review of Fifa’s human rights policies has claimed that if the embattled governing body is serious about reform it could be a landmark moment for “advancing human dignity around the world”...The Qatar 2022 World Cup has been beset by criticism over the rights of migrant workers building the stadiums and associated infrastructure. Other sporting events including World Cups in Brazil and Russia, and the Olympics in Sochi, Rio and Beijing have faced human rights concerns over a variety of issues...Ruggie said that, under guiding principle 19, if organisations found themselves unable to exert sufficient leverage on human rights issues then they should “take into consideration ending the relationship unless that would have even worse human rights consequences”...Fifa has been accused of using apparently independent academics as a smokescreen to delay progress on meaningful reform. Ruggie said he was alive to the risk but is confident his proposals will be taken seriously...Campaigners fear that while the workers building the stadiums will be treated better, and covered by a charter drawn up by the organising committee, there will be little wider or lasting change for the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers constructing the wider infrastructure. Ruggie said if compliance with human rights criteria was written into the bid contract there was more likelihood of it leading to wider changes in the host country...