What We're Reading
FIFA Rep 'Appalled and Disturbed' by Qatar Report
- Guardian, Friday, September 27, 2013 2:54 PM
FIFA vice president Jim Boyce has called for an immediate investigation into the deaths of dozens of Nepalese workers as well as the mistreatment of thousands of others working in
Qatar as the country prepares to host the 2022 World Cup. The Northern Irishman said he was “appalled and disturbed” after reading the Guardian’s report on the plight of
migrant workers in the construction industry in the Middle Eastern country.
"I was appalled and very disturbed after reading the allegations in the newspaper this morning. FIFA must
investigate this information immediately and report the full findings at the earliest opportunity to the Fifa executive committee," he said.
Meanwhile, the Qatar 2022 supreme committee,
which is overseeing the 2022 World Cup, said it too was appalled by the details contained in the report. "Like everyone viewing the video and images, and reading the accompanying texts, we are
appalled by the findings presented in the Guardian's report. There is no excuse for any worker in Qatar, or anywhere else, to be treated in this manner," said a spokesman. "The health, safety,
well being and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup is of the utmost importance to our committee and we are committed to ensuring that the event serves as a
catalyst toward creating sustainable improvements to the lives of all workers in Qatar."
I am "appalled and disturbed" that these FIFA executives had to learn of these deaths through the newspaper. Is FIFA accountable to no one? Obviously the answer is YES.