“FIFA launches fervent defense of Saudi Arabia World Cup in letter to EU lawmakers”

A senior football official has rebutted criticism from the European Parliament over awarding the 2034 Men’s World Cup to Saudi Arabia.

Mattias Grafström, secretary-general of the world football governing body FIFA, which runs the World Cup, told EU lawmakers in a letter seen by POLITICO that the organization had indeed factored respect for human rights…

…FIFA’s decision earned blowback from human rights groups and climate watchdogs, who criticize the wealthy Gulf petromonarchy for its treatment of minority groups and migrant workers, as well as its huge fossil fuel production….

…30 MEPs from across the political spectrum said the decision to make Saudi Arabia the competition host “undermines the principles upon which FIFA was founded,” pointing to gender equality, human rights and environmental concerns.

…in a letter dated Jan. 9 Grafström … pushed back at the criticism from Brussels.

“All aspects of the bidding process were conducted in accordance with the key principles of objectivity, transparency and integrity, with the main documents and guidelines relating to the process made publicly available online,” Grafström wrote.

On labor rights, Grafström said Saudi Arabia “has committed to ensuring equitable wages and decent working and living conditions for all individuals involved in the preparation and delivery of the FIFA World Cup”…