FIFA's history of partnering with authoritarian regimes for World Cup sportswashing
By
Alex Nguyen
Summary
The article examines FIFA's long history of partnering with authoritarian regimes and controversial political figures to host World Cup tournaments, using these events as platforms for "sportswashing" — using sports mega-events to whitewash human rights abuses and distract from political repression. Drawing on political scientist and former professional soccer player Jules Boykoff's analysis, the piece highlights how figures like Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and other autocrats have leveraged FIFA tournaments to boost their international legitimacy and domestic popularity, while FIFA turns a blind eye to abuses in exchange for lucrative hosting deals.
Source
bskyFIFA's history of partnering with authoritarian regimes for World Cup sportswashingmotherjones.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledAutocrats have long used international 'mega-events' as a platform to whitewash abuses of power.
The last major tournament staged by FIFA... was last summer's Club World Cup — an international tournament where Donald Trump crashed the trophy presentation at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Political scientist and ex–soccer pro Jules Boykoff on how Trump — like Putin before him — is the World Cup's biggest winner.
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