Qatar World Cup: FIFA’s Sponsors Respond To Backlash Against The 2022 World Cup

The social campaign to boycott the Qatar World Cup has seen several of FIFA’s sponsors respond to the allegations of the treatment of migrant workers currently employed in Qatar to work on several of the infrastructure slated to be used in the 2022 World Cup.

Sponsors such as Visa, Adidas, and Coca-Cola have suddenly all expressed their concerns about the current conditions amid the campaign. Despite their statements, the sponsors did not express any inclination that they would be willing to pull out of the Qatar World Cup.

In a statement by Visa, they acknowledged that the reports relating to the Qatar World Cup and the migrant worker conditions were troubling. However, there was no mention of the possibility of pulling out.

“We continue to be troubled by the reports coming out of Qatar related to the World Cup and migrant worker conditions. We have expressed our grave concern to FIFA, and urge them to take all necessary actions to work with the appropriate authorities and organizations to remedy this situation and ensure the health and safety of all involved.”

Likewise, Adidas made mention of the migrant worker conditions for Qatar’s World Cup preparations. The German based company stated, “There have been significant improvements and these efforts are ongoing, but everyone recognizes that more needs to be done in a collective effort with all stakeholders involved.”

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola stated that they, along with FIFA, will continue to work together to improve “specific labor and human rights issues.”

“We know FIFA is working with Qatari authorities to address questions regarding specific labor and human rights issues. We expect FIFA to continue taking these matters seriously and to work toward further progress. We welcome constructive dialogue on human rights issues, and we will continue to work with many individuals, human rights organizations, sports groups, government officials and others to develop solutions and foster greater respect for human rights in sports and elsewhere.”

While the statements are signs of progress, the campaign to boycott FIFA sponsors will still go ahead unless there are significant improvement of the working conditions of migrant workers. The Qatar World Cup will still remain under the microscope and FIFA will still be faced with allegations of bribery and corruption in regards of rewarding Qatar the 2022 World Cup tournament.

[Photo by Clemens Bilan / Getty Images for Coca-Cola]