According to former Socceroos captain Craig Foster, the fear that criticizing human rights violations could cost them their World Cup dreams is having a deterrent effect on footballers’ voices.
Human rights and geopolitical tensions, particularly in connection with the US’s crackdown on immigrants and Iran’s participation in the tournament, are at the forefront of the Games.
Socceroos star Jackson Irvine made headlines worldwide last month when he described the awarding of the first FIFA Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump as a mockery of the United States’ own human rights charter.
In contrast, players from the other 48 teams have been largely silent in the lead-up to the tournament – a stark contrast to when the Socceroos launched a video campaign criticizing the human rights situation in host country Qatar (World Cup 2022).
“It’s remarkable that we’ve seen so few, or even no, statements from the participating athletes – undoubtedly because they are aware of the risks involved,” said Foster.
The prominent human rights activist spoke at a press conference held by the Sports & Rights Alliance and Human Rights Watch, which addressed the “climate of fear” in the US.
Australian soccer legend Craig Foster (pictured) stated that concerns about censorship and the safety of their families and friends are causing Australian stars to remain silent about human rights abuses in the US.
The Socceroos (pictured before their friendly against Mexico on May 30) are playing the US in the group stage of their World Cup campaign in America.
President Donald Trump is pictured with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Foster said players are facing censorship and are worried about the safety of their families, friends, and colleagues, as well as the potential for racial profiling of fans by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This prevents them from fully focusing on their performance.
“At the same time, however, we have also observed a very clear restriction of the players’ freedom of expression and their right to speak out about various violations in which the USA is, of course, currently involved,” said Foster.
“So we have found that significantly fewer players are speaking out on human rights issues, questions of international law, or various conflicts around the world in the run-up to this World Cup.”
“And undoubtedly because the players know that doing so would almost certainly have jeopardized their chances of traveling to the USA, obtaining a visa, and participating in their own World Cup.”
German football director Rudi Völler appealed to the national team players this week not to make any political statements during the World Cup.
“I have no doubt—and I am not blaming the coaches and management for this—that the players and the teams would have been warned long ago about the very serious—the unprecedented—risks,” said Foster.
“Four years ago, there was no atmosphere in Qatar where we feared that athletes who spoke out during the World Cup could be expelled from the country or publicly attacked by the president—and that is exactly what is happening now.”
“There is no question that the players understand the negative consequences of their actions and will come under pressure.”
Foster pointed to the obstacles placed in the way of Iran’s participation—including the relocation of its base from Arizona to Mexico—after the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran in late February.
He also noted that Swiss player Breel Embolo was denied ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and therefore cannot travel to the US. The forward has applied for an emergency visa.
Foster called it “unbelievable” that fans of certain nations are not allowed to attend and expressed concern that players and officials do not feel safe enough to speak out or even participate in the tournament.
“At this tournament, neither players, fans, nor officials—if they are even able to participate—are at risk,” Foster said.
“And for a sport that has proclaimed its commitment to its own human rights policy for almost a decade, this is simply shameful.”
