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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 […]
New report: “No one wants to talk about it”
Voices of impacted people on participation of athletes convicted of sexual offenses (Amsterdam, October 6, 2025) – The Sport & Rights Alliance’s Athletes Network for Safer Sports has released a crucial new exploratory study, “No one wants to talk about it:” Voices of impacted people on the participation of athletes convicted of sexual offenses at […]
Global: Amnesty International calls on FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israeli Football Association
Six clubs in OPT in violation of international law and FIFA Statutes Amnesty International has sent a letter to FIFA and UEFA calling on them to suspend the Israeli Football Association (IFA) from their tournaments until it excludes clubs based in illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) from continuing to play in Israel’s football […]
Olympics: Secret Process Threatens Fairness and Inclusion
Working Group on Women’s Category Lacks Transparency, Legitimacy (Amsterdam, September 30, 2025) – The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to create a new working group on the “protection of the female category” without disclosing its members or process presents an alarming risk for all women athletes, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. This move, […]
Survey: Help Shape UNESCO’s Global Safe Sport Policy Standards
Take the Survey to Help Guide Safe Sport Policies Across the Globe **This survey is now closed.** In collaboration with UNESCO’s Sport Section, the Sport & Rights Alliance is conducting a survey to gather the perspectives of impacted people on UNESCO’s Global Policy Standards for Inclusive, Equitable and Safe Sport and Physical Education. The purpose […]
Anatol Kotau, BSSF International Coordinator, Reported Missing in Turkey
Stand in Solidarity with Anatol Kotau The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation (BSSF) calls on the international sports community and human rights organizations to urgently pay attention to the disappearance of Anatol Kotau, a prominent sports official and long-standing advocate for the rights of Belarusian athletes. Anatol Kotau is currently Coordinator for International Relations of the Belarusian Sport […]
“It’s often still dangerous for athletes to speak out.”
Workshop Recap: Athletes as Human Rights Defenders The Athletes Network for Safer Sports held a workshop on June 27th on the topic of “Athletes as Human Rights Defenders.” Moderated by Network Coordinator Joanna Maranhão, the session explored what athletes face when they speak up for human rights and what practical measures should be put in […]
US: FIFA Cancels Anti-Bias Messaging for Club World Cup
Soccer Governing Body Action For US Tournament Bodes Ill For 2026 World Cup (New York) – The global soccer governing body FIFA’s reported decision to cancel previously planned additional anti-racism and anti-discrimination messaging at Club World Cup venues in the United States signals a human rights risk for FIFA’s upcoming 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, the Dignity […]
Algeria: French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes sentenced to seven years in prison after over a year under a judicial control order
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns the court of Tizi Ouzou’s decision to sentence French football journalist Christophe Gleizes to seven years in prison with immediate incarceration. Arrested and held under a judicial control order since 28 May 2024, he has now been unjustly convicted and imprisoned for simply doing his job. He will appeal the […]
World Cup: A Year Out, Growing Attacks on Rights
Largest-Ever Sporting Event Poses Major Risks for Fans, Workers & Athletes (Amsterdam, June 11, 2025) – The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) should take immediate and demonstrable steps to safeguard human rights for all people involved in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the Sport & Rights Alliance said today. With just one year […]
Saudi Arabia: Migrant Workers Electrocuted, Decapitated, and Falling to Death at Workplaces
Prevent, Investigate Deaths; Compensate Families; Mandate Life Insurance (Beirut) – Scores of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia die in gruesome yet avoidable workplace-related accidents, including falling from buildings, electrocution, and even decapitation, Human Rights Watch said today. Saudi authorities have failed to adequately protect workers from preventable deaths, investigate workplace safety incidents, and ensure timely and adequate […]
Episode 3: “Sometimes We Can’t See”
Understanding the data on abuse in sports Watch the third and final episode of our research series on violence in sports: “Sometimes We Can’t See.” In this video, we explore why violence is often normalized in sport – and why it’s so hard for athletes, coaches and others to recognise when they see it, when […]