“Stop politicizing football.”

Here’s the thing though.

When FIFA’s board threatens to sanction players protesting or speaking out on the field and its President makes “what about” rebuttals rather than addressing valid criticisms, the public can see they’re worried more about saving face. This becomes more ironic considering that on their webpage, FIFA has a section dedicated to their stance on Human Rights and Anti Discrimination.

FIFA’s accusations of hypocrisy and fingerpointing to European labor-sourcing practice are not wrong. But they are a deflection that doesn’t address, and much less provide a solution to, the issue that dramatically worsened since FIFA awarded the hosting to Qatar.

Does labor abuse occur all over the world? Absolutely. It’s likely that the exported labor system that Qatar benefits from would not have garnered much attention if the country were not hosting the largest sporting event in the world. It’s the same reason that the clothing company, Shein, is consistently under public scrutiny. Sure, other brands also produce fast fashion and outsource to countries with cheap labor and inhumane working conditions, but not at the scale that Shein does.

With more attention comes more scrutiny, and the World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world watched by a record number of people from all over. These events are bound to come with a particularly bright spotlight but they also maximize the amount of labor needed. It shows that planning events and developments at any scale but particularly at such a large one should not just come with budget meetings, opportunity statements, and economic prospects. Discussions on how all participating parties will ensure livable wages, sustainability, and ethical practices for the people and places involved should be at the forefront of the planning. They cannot be an afterthought.

Germany’s statement on Twitter said it best: “[It’s not] about making a political statement — human rights are non-negotiable.”

On the other hand, Qatar has been working to change some of its labor laws. The government has reportedly partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO), international trade unions, and moved to implement a minimum wage. Labor reforms are far from over though.

After looking into these reform attempts, another investigation by The Guardian found that even if laws are changed, there is no system to ensure they are being enforced. Qatari legislation may have changed, but workers are not aware of those changes, much less their rights. True, there is now a minimum wage, but compared to the 300 billion Qatar spent on the World Cup, the $275 a month is “a drop in the ocean.” by Talukdar David, December 12, 2022. Editorial use only; Shutterstock.

Here’s a larger truth in light of all of this that’s becoming more evident: People like FIFA’s president and the companies that sponsor the exploitation of thousands of people are not monsters. They are people. Saying this is not meant to absolve anyone or to say “everyone make’s mistakes.” It’s to emphasize that this labor mentality is a result of systems that value production and economy above all else. This ruthlessness allows the agents of the system to see everyone, especially the workers, and even ourselves, as commodities.

Most often when terrible things happen, they occur not from a place of evil, but from a place of convenience. There are a plethora of factors that contribute to how incredibly desensitized we have become to news of atrocities, of abuse, and even death for the sake of endless economic growth. We consume mindlessly because the consequences of our consumption are so distant from us. We are able to ignore them until they stand up right before our eyes.

Emotions around the world’s biggest tournament run high in countries beyond those playing. Kolkata, India showers its love on Messi’s Argentina.

It’s why over 5 billion people still tuned in to watch the World Cup and why FIFA made a record $4.6 billion in revenue despite most of the world having heard of the labor abuse that thousands of workers endured for years in order for it to happen.

To want to bring joy to people is a noble pursuit but the joys and smiles that FIFA sought for people all over the world came at great loss to migrant workers. So long as economic growth continues to be the be all end all, development will always be on the backs of an exploited modern slave class — at the expense of already marginalized communities