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Get the latest news and updates from our partners on the human rights issues in and around the world of sport.
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FIFA Has No Child Safeguarding Policy for 2026 World Cup
US, Host Cities, FIFA Need to Commit to Protecting Youth In two months, the FIFA Club World Cup, an international football tournament for club teams, will kick off in the United States, serving as a testing ground for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup next year. But FIFA has inexcusably not put a clear and […]
Submission to UN Human Rights Report on a World of Sport Free Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance
Countering Hate and Discrimination Against All People Impacted in Sport The world of sport is often perceived as a place in which none of the burdens and inequalities of society take place or could possibly exist. Embedded by ideals of excellence, respect and friendship, its philosophy often misleads people to discount the importance of critical […]
“We’re building a lasting movement of resistance.”
Workshop Recap: Dynamics of Abuse – Gender Based Violence The month of March marks International Women’s Month – a time to remember and honor the historical fight of women around the world on issues that challenges their existence. Committed to our goals of amplifying women and girls’ voices and their experiences in sport, the Athletes […]
FIFA: Recognize, Support Afghan Women’s Team in Exile
New Report Details Afghan Women Footballers’ Fight for Right to Play (Amsterdam, March 25, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should act to stop the ongoing discrimination against Afghan women footballers living in exile and facilitate their return to international competition, the Sport & Rights Alliance said in a report released today. […]
Olympics: Kirsty Coventry Elected President of IOC
Sport & Rights Alliance Calls on New President to Prioritize Human Rights and Good Governance (Amsterdam, 20 March 2025) — Kirsty Coventry has just made history as the first woman to be elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). While this is an important achievement, we call on the new president to use her […]
Olympics: Presidential Candidates Need to Step Up on Rights
Lack of Priority for IOC Human Rights Policies Poses Risk to Athletes, Fans, Workers (Amsterdam, February 26, 2025) – Candidates for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) failed to adequately address human rights and good governance in documents outlining their proposed programs, in advance of March elections, the Sport & Rights Alliance said […]
United States: Trump administration denies people right to play and fails to protect women
Executive order goes against United Nations and human rights experts (Amsterdam, February 7, 2025) – The Sport & Rights Alliance vehemently rejects the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump which aims at excluding trans, gender-diverse, and intersex people from competing in sports at all levels. “The right to play sports should be available […]
Episode 2: “Behind the Statistics”
Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the second episode of our three-part series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “Behind the Statistics.” In this video, we dive into prevalence studies and associated factors that put some groups of athletes at higher risk. Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute […]
Olympic athletes should be paid and heard, says public poll
Next president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) must make the Games fair and share proceeds with athletes (Nyon, Switzerland, 23 January 2025) UNI World Players, a sector of UNI Global Union, has carried out the first-ever public poll to assess awareness and attitudes regarding athletes’ rights and representation at the Olympic Games. The poll of […]
Submission to UN Human Rights Report on Combating Discrimination and Violence Against Intersex Persons
Ensuring the Rights of Intersex Athletes to Safe, Inclusive Sports Environments The LGBTI community faces numerous, often unique challenges when it comes to their right to participate in sport. Discriminatory narratives, exclusionary policies, and pervasive online harassment are just a few of the significant obstacles that hinder their ability to engage and enjoy in sports […]
Video Series: “This is Not Part of the Game.”
Exploring the research on violence in sports Watch the first of our three-part video series exploring scientific data on violence in sports: “This is Not Part of the Game.” Led by Dr Aurelie Pankowiak, postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Health & Sport at Victoria Universityand athlete survivor from France, this project aims to collate […]
Award of 2034 Men’s World Cup to Saudi Arabia risks lives and exposes FIFA’s empty human rights commitments
Joint Statement Today’s confirmation of Saudi Arabia as host of the 2034 FIFA men’s World Cup, despite the well-known and severe risks to residents, migrant workers and visiting fans alike, marks a moment of great danger. It should also mark a moment for change. As global and regional human rights organisations, trade unions, fans groups […]