Should Countries With Appalling Human Rights Be Allowed To Play In Sporting Events?

Firstly like many people I have enjoyed some great football matches in this World Cup tournament so far but something has been irking me about this jolly jaunt in the park. Why are nations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia being allowed to participate on this stage whether it be in the finals or the qualification groups.

Iran for example is a country that is infamous for its human rights atrocities. It disgusts me, in Iran they publicly behead and hang their own people for everyday ordinary crimes, these include such medieval forms of execution such as stoning and in particular women being stoned to death in this manner.

But because its the World Cup it astonishes me that so many are happy to turn a blind eye to this all in the name of the beautiful game. I think its about high time that we started to put our foot down and only allow nations that act in a civilised manner to participate.

Fifa, The Olympic Committee and many other organisations need to show some balls and send out a clear message that only those that are free should be gained entry.

Your thoughts please.

(17-06-2014 20:42 )Scottishbloke Wrote:  I have enjoyed some great football matches in this World Cup tournament so far but something has been irking me about this jolly jaunt in the park. Why are nations such as Iran and Saudi Arabia being allowed to participate

Nations aren't allowed to partcipate. Only football associations are allowed to participate and as a condition of participation they have to show they are independent of any government or political interference. Articles 13 and 17 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member associations to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from government or any other third parties. Accordingly any human rights abuses carried out by governments are not connected to the football associations of those countries who can't be expected to shoulder the blame for them.

One of the countries you mention, Iran, was suspended by FIFA in 2006 because the Iranian government interfered in the election of the Iranian FA president. Other countries suspended by FIFA for government interference in FA matters include Kuwait, Peru, Nigeria, Brunei, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, Chad, Iraq, Cameroon and even Greece. So FIFA's rules are strict, football associations must be free of any political or government involvement and it follows from this that football associations can't be blamed for the actions of governments or other third parties.

Sport and politics should never mix.

(18-06-2014 22:50 )lancealot790 Wrote:  Sport and politics should never mix.

Sport has nothing to do with human rights. it's not the athletes fault what happens in their country, sport brings people together...

Who are the arbiters when deciding what is 'appalling human rights'? Should an international committee be set up to decide who is contravening 'human rights'? Who would sit on this committee? What criteria would they use? How do you define 'human rights'? For example, we now have a situation were convicted child murderers and rapists are demanding their "human rights"! And they have taken their respective countries to the European Court to seek restitution and to receive an official apology.

(18-06-2014 22:59 )circles_o_o_o Wrote:  

(18-06-2014 22:50 )lancealot790 Wrote:  Sport and politics should never mix.

So should Brazil have banned England for the unlawful and cold-blooded "execution" of Brazilian citizen Jean Charles de Menezes?

No but the person who killed him should be punished..

Not the whole country..

If, for example, we use Amnesty International list of countries who have appalling human rights then the almost every country is this list - so, if this were the criteria used, then international sporting events would be sparsely attended.