Athlete Ally responded today to news that Saudi Arabia is now the sole bidder for the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup...

“If Saudi Arabia is named as the 2034 World Cup host, it will be a shocking failure of Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes, and sends a clear message that their obligation to uphold the inherent dignity and equal rights of everyone, does not extend to LGBTQI+ people,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “Saudi Arabia punishes acts of homosexuality with capital punishment, up to life imprisonment, fines, deportation and flogging. FIFA’s support of Saudi Arabia’s bid shows that they are more interested in promoting and protecting a country who denies LGBTQI+ people their human rights than they are in promoting and protecting those human rights.”...

“FIFA has a responsibility to choose a host nation where everyone is respected and protected, including LGBTQI+ athletes and fans,” said out gay former pro soccer player and Athlete Ally Ambassador Thomas Beattie. “LGBTQI+ athletes – whether they are out or not – will not be safe in Saudi Arabia. Neither will coaches, fans or other members of the sporting community, as we saw in Qatar. Sport has the power to bring people together across divisions when it welcomes all people, but all people are not welcome in Saudi Arabia.

If FIFA awards a World Cup to a country where same-sex relationships are punishable by death, FIFA will have epically failed in its mission to provide an environment that is safe for all. Awarding the privilege of hosting such a global sporting event to a country that doesn’t have basic human rights across the board is hypocritical to the values of sport. Creating temporary safe spaces for this occasion does nothing for the oppression and prejudice local Saudi Arabian LGBTQI+ individuals face on a daily basis.”