When the Whistle isn’t Neutral

Over the past three decades, corruption scandals, tournaments awarded to authoritarian states, and the persistent failure to enforce its own anti-discrimination rules have exposed FIFA not as a neutral arbiter of sport, but as a political actor in its own right. FIFA is not alone in this. Other sporting bodies such as the Olympics and Formula 1, each publicly commits to neutrality and universality, and each has proven, repeatedly, that when institutional interest conflicts with institutional principle, principle loses. … Continue readingWhen the Whistle isn’t Neutral

Understanding Arab Investment In The Sporting World

The Qatar FIFA World Cup, the LIV-PGA golf merger, the UAE’s global investment in soccer, plus the vast swathes of top-level athletes heading to the Saudi Pro League are just some examples of emerging Arab investment in sport. In response to this investment there has been global criticism – ugly spats between former footballers, online abuse and public condemnation aimed at anybody implicated from athletes, and coaches to entire organisations (ie: FIFA). This criticism has contended that these states are seeking to distract the rest of the world from their poor human rights records, in a phenomenon known as sport-washing.  … Continue readingUnderstanding Arab Investment In The Sporting World