World Cup will be ‘bonanza of sportswashing’ under Trump, say human rights groups
Summary
Human rights groups say the upcoming World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada could be used by the Trump administration to hide human rights problems through "sportswashing." These groups worry about fans’ safety and the treatment of protesters, saying that key promises to protect people’s rights may not be kept during the event.Key Facts
- The World Cup is set to begin in six weeks and is co-hosted by the US, Mexico, and Canada.
- Human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International describe "sportswashing" as using sports events to improve a country’s image despite human rights abuses.
- The Trump administration is accused of using the World Cup to distract from aggressive immigration enforcement and limits on press freedom.
- Only four out of 16 US host cities have published human rights plans to protect workers, fans, and communities.
- There are concerns about US travel restrictions affecting fans from some qualifying countries.
- Supporter groups say they are unsure how US police will react to protests or rule-breaking by fans during the tournament.
- Football Supporters Europe reports less cooperation from US authorities compared to previous events in Qatar.
- FIFA leadership is being urged to ensure the World Cup is safe and welcoming for all fans, regardless of background or immigration status.
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