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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: Afghan Women’s Refugee Team is Partial Solution but Not Official Recognition
Statements from Afghan Women Footballers and Sport & Rights Alliance (Amsterdam, 9 May 2025) – Responding to the FIFA Council’s decision to establish an Afghan Women’s Refugee Team (AWRT), Afghan football players and the Sport & Rights Alliance said: “We are proud to be part of history in helping create FIFA’s first-ever refugee football team,” […]
Letter to FIFA Re. Human Rights Responsibilities in 2026 World Cup
Human Rights Watch Letter to FIFA May 5, 2025 Gianni InfantinoPresidentFédération Internationale de Football AssociationFIFA-Strasse 20, P.O. Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland Subject: FIFA’s Human Rights Responsibilities in 2026 World Cup Dear Mr. Infantino, We write to express grave concerns about the impact of current United States immigration policies on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and […]
2024 Annual Report: From Vision to Action
Reimagining the Future for Sport & Human Rights “The past year has shed a light on the critical impact that sport has on human rights and the true depth of the fight for equity, justice and transparency. Sport was put on check as global sport governing bodies were urged to demonstrate their commitment to human […]
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 […]
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 […]