A friendly football match between Scotland and Qatar will go ahead in Edinburgh on Friday despite widespread condemnation of the human rights abuses reported to be prevalent in the construction of venues and infrastructure for the 2022 World Cup.
As the Guardian first revealed two years ago, Qatar’s building frenzy ahead of the international tournament is set to cost the lives of thousands of migrant workers.
But on Thursday, facing a series of challenges about the issues at first minister’s questions in the Scottish parliament, Nicola Sturgeon said people should stop arguing over one football match.
Telling the Holyrood chamber that the decision on the match was one for the Scottish Football Association (SFA) alone and that she respected their decision to go ahead with it, she said: “I respect the views of those who think tomorrow’s match shouldn’t go ahead but I hope those who hold that view will also accept the other view that sport can be a good way to engage and highlight human rights abuses, especially when that alternative view is held by organisations like Amnesty International.”
Sturgeon added: “Instead of us in Scotland arguing over one football match we should unite behind these two demands: firstly that Fifa gets its house in order, that allegations of corruption are investigated robustly and anyone found guilty is brought to justice; and secondly that human rights are respected and upheld in every single part of the world without exception.”
Responding to criticisms from fans and trade unions earlier this week, the SFA said it was “important to separate this sporting fixture from the serious human rights issues emanating from Qatar”.
The Scottish government and the SFA both condemn the abuses, and have sought to engage constructively with Qatar, offering to share Scotland’s experience of hosting the Commonwealth Games to help embed human rights and safe working practices into the preparation and staging of the World Cup.
Supporters groups report being contacted by increasing numbers of Scotland fans from across the country, expressing concerns about hosting Qatar at Easter Road.
Simon Barrow of the Scottish Football Supporters Association said: “The Tartan Army have earned a reputation as the best fans in the world and they have a keen sense of fair play so we want to provide them with an opportunity to do their bit to take a stand on this issue.”
Before the match the Tartan Army will be leafleting outside the stadium alongside the Scottish TUC in order to raise awareness about the serious abuse of migrant workers in Qatar.
During his time as first minister, Alex Salmond was criticised for his dealings with the Qatari government about investment and trade deals, during which he made introductions to Scottish banking executives and arranged business delegations.
Salmond was also reported to be have considered seeking loans from a Qatari investment bank to fund major capital projects in Scotland, including a new £2bn Forth bridge.
