Socceroos protest against Qatar’s human rights record

The Socceroos have become the first World Cup side to release a collective statement protesting against Qatar’s human rights record.

In a video message featuring 16 players, the Australian team has called for “effective remedy” for migrant workers and the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships.

In a separate statement, Football Australia says the “suffering” felt by workers and their families that has been caused by the tournament “cannot be ignored”.

None of the 31 other nations that have qualified for the FIFA World Cup have made a similar protest statement to date.

Former Socceroo and human rights advocate Craig Foster says the Socceroos are “talking about three things in particular”.

“(They’re calling for) a migrant workers centre to protect their rights going forward, as part of the tournament legacy … but where they’ve been really brave here is calling for the decriminalisation of LGBTI community in Qatar and also for remedy, for compensation for around 6500 workers who have actually died,” he told Neil Mitchell.

Press PLAY below to Craig Foster’s take on the protest

Migrant workers building stadiums and infrastructure for the tournament have faced oppressive conditions, with many dying, although the precise number of deaths is contested. According to the International Labor Organisation, 50 workers lost their lives in 2020 alone, and more than 500 were seriously injured, but some others estimate the true figure was much higher.

A message from our @Socceroos on the @FIFAWorldCup #SupportingThePlayers pic.twitter.com/bUqW2pne1w

— Professional Footballers Australia (@thepfa) October 26, 2022

Image: Joe Allison/Getty Images