Presidential pressure: DFB's Neuendorf tells FIFA they must live up to their human rights rhetoric

September 23 – German Football Association President Bernd Neuendorf has added his voice to growing demands that FIFA set aside money for a compensation fund for migrant workers in Qatar, host of the World Cup.

Speaking at a conference, Neuendorf highlighted FIFA's responsibility in hosting the World Cup in Qatar, which was awarded the hosting rights in 2010, particularly on its track record. human rights and labor rights issues related to the kafala system.

Neuendorf said that "FIFA has adopted a human rights policy and expressly states that FIFA will pay compensation where it has taken responsibility for tournaments, for the measures it takes. This is why I would draw attention to the fact that you must live and abide by our own declared principles."

On Tuesday, the German Football Association and four major FIFA sponsors stepped up pressure on FIFA and local organizers to offer compensation to migrant workers and their families.

Earlier this year, human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch called on FIFA and local organizers to set up a compensation fund for migrant workers and their families, who suffered of human rights violations in Qatar, to the tune of $440 million, the amount at stake in World Cup prizes.

However, stakeholders have been reluctant to engage. US Soccer is believed to be exploring the idea.

Football Australia does not see the fund as a solution, writing in a statement: "We appreciate that there are calls for the establishment of a workers' compensation fund. However, there is also the need to ensure that workers' rights continue to be adequately represented in the future and that the momentum for reform does not wane after December 2022 - this is the strongest feedback Football Australia has received following its surveys of local stakeholders, including workers.”

The Brazilian FA, CBF, did not engage at all.

Some FIFA sponsors have provided limited support to the fund, however, including McDonald's and Budweiser.

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