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Iran: Letter to IOC re Iranian athletes facing political execution
Urgent IOC action required to protect Iranian athletes facing political execution The Sport & Rights Alliance has written to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding boxer and coach Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani who is at risk of imminent execution amid an ongoing horrifying escalation of executions in Iran. Read the full letter below. *** Dear […]
FIFA’s Ticketing Policy is Excluding Fans With Disabilities From the 2026 World Cup
On 15 December, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and its Disability & Inclusion Fan Network wrote to FIFA President Gianni Infantino to condemn FIFA’s accessible ticket pricing for the 2026 World Cup, which is effectively excluding supporters with disabilities from the tournament. FIFA has restricted accessibility tickets for National Team fans (PMA allocation) to Categories 1–3, […]
FIFA World Cup 2026: BWI Concludes First Official Visit to the BBVA Stadium in Monterrey, Mexico
As part of the new BWI–FIFA Cooperation Agreement, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) conducted an official mission to Monterrey on 25 and 27 November, one of the three Mexican host cities of the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup in North America. The BWI delegation included representatives from its Mexican affiliate CIT, Unite the […]
Breaking: Algerian court upholds seven-year prison sentence against French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes in appalling decision
On 3 December, the Tizi Ouzou Court of Appeal upheld the seven-year prison sentence handed down to French journalist Christophe Gleizes, prolonging proceedings that have already lasted 18 months. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the journalist’s support committee express their outrage at this ruling against an experienced, highly recognised media professional who was simply doing […]
World Cup 2026: FIFA Needs to Act on Human Rights
As FIFA Awards “Peace Prize,” Coalition Calls for Concrete Protections for Workers, Athletes, Fans, Journalists, and Children (Washington, DC, December 3, 2025) – FIFA, the international soccer governing body, needs to match its lofty rhetoric on rights with concrete action, a coalition of human rights organizations, trade unions, and fans groups said today. FIFA is […]
US: ICE Arrest at FIFA Event Spotlights Dangers for World Cup
Asylum Seeker Detained, Returned to Country of Origin (New York) – The arrest and return of an asylum seeker who took his children to the Club World Cup soccer tournament final on July 13, 2025, raises serious concerns about the safety of noncitizens attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Human Rights Watch said today. In […]
Brazil: Ensure Justice for Children Killed in Flamengo Fire
Case Underscores Urgent Need for Safeguarding, Reforms at Training Centers (Rio de Janeiro, November 24, 2025) – Reports that alleged systemic failures at Brazil’s top football club led to the deaths of 10 child athletes in a fire in 2019 raise critical questions about safeguarding and accountability in Brazilian sport, the Sport & Rights Alliance […]
UNESCO and Sport & Rights Alliance Put Athlete Voices at the Heart of Global Safe Sport Standards
Consultation with impacted athletes held today by UNESCO and the Sport & Rights Alliance (Paris, November 21, 2025) – UNESCO and the Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) have joined forces to place the experiences of those impacted by abuse, harassment, and violence in sport at the core of global policy development. As part of the […]
“This may be the most important story you will tell, and you want it done right”
Workshop Recap: Media Training for Impacted Athletes: Sharing your story with journalists On September 24th, The Athletes Network for Safer Sports held its third workshop of the year focusing on “Media Training for Impacted Athletes.” Featuring top sports journalists with extensive experience covering abuse cases, Shireen Ahmed and Suzy Wrack, the session marked an important […]
Youth Football Dream Turned Into Nightmare
Senegalese Player Cheikh Touré’s Death Reignites Football Trafficking Debate On November 2, a funeral was held for Cheikh Touré, a promising young Senegalese goalkeeper, after his body was finally returned to his family from Ghana. According to media reports, Touré had traveled to Ghana to meet people he believed to be football scouts. They allegedly kidnapped him, extorted money from his mother, and […]
Australia: Van de Velde denied visa for World Beach Volleyball Championships
Content warning: This statement mentions sexual assault, rape, and the abuser’s name. (Amsterdam, October 28, 2025) – Kyniska Advocacy, The Army of Survivors, and the Athletes Network for Safer Sports, are once again calling on the sports world to take action to prevent athletes convicted of sexual offenses from competing on the global stage. Last year, […]
On 20th Anniversary, BWI joins Sport & Rights Alliance to advance labour rights in mega-sporting events
BWI becomes newest Core Partner of the Sport & Rights Alliance (Amsterdam, October 22, 2025) – On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) has joined the Sport & Rights Alliance as its newest partner, the SRA announced today. Representing approximately 12 million workers worldwide in construction, wood, and […]