Fifa compensating migrant workers with World Cup revenue gains fan support
Almost three quarters of football fans across 15 countries would support Fifa using World Cup revenue to compensate migrant workers who have suffered in preparation for Qatar 2022, a new Amnesty International poll has revealed.
This comes despite an Independent survey last month revealing that not a single one of the 32 qualified nations has yet offered public support to the idea, which comes from a collective human rights campaign called ‘Pay Up Fifa’, demanding reparations of up to $440m .
It is nevertheless understood that there is ongoing discussion at the top level of the game about the issue. Fan pressure may change that, which is why the latest poll - conducted by YouGov, and commissioned by Amnesty - could be influential.
More than 17,000 supporters from 15 countries were surveyed, with 73% supporting the proposal and just 10% opposing it. The figure is 74% support in the UK, with 70% also wanting the English and Welsh football associations to speak out on the issue. A total of 67% across the world meanwhile want their federation to do the same.
“Across the globe, people are united in their desire to see Fifa step up and make amends for the suffering endured by migrant workers in Qatar,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International's Head of Economic and Social Justice.
“The past cannot be undone, but a compensation programme is a clear and simple way that Fifa and Qatar can provide at least some measure of redress to the hundreds of thousands of workers who made this tournament possible.”
A statement from the governing body read: “Fifa takes note of the poll conducted on behalf of Amnesty International, featuring respondents from 10 countries in Europe and five countries from the rest of the world. Respondents may not be fully aware of the measures implemented in recent years by Fifa and its partners in Qatar to protect workers involved in the delivery of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022."
The Independent has contacted Fifa for comment on the developments of discussions.
YouGov surveyed 17,477 adults in Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the USA. Of these, 54% said they were likely to watch at least one World Cup game.
