 | FIFA is facing a huge corruption scandal that’s not just about money - it’s costing lives. Call on FIFA to put fair play and human rights first now.  | |
Dear friends,
FIFA’s president Sepp Blatter just announced his resignation. This is huge - the world’s most powerful sporting organization is caving in to public pressure. Blatter’s resignation comes after investigations have revealed huge corruption at all levels.
FIFA’s corruption isn't just about money - it also costs lives. Thousands of migrant workers in Qatar have already died preparing for the 2022 World Cup.
Russia, the 2018 host, also has a horrific human rights record. In both of these countries, it is illegal to be openly gay, lesbian, bi or trans. And in Qatar people can bepublicly tortured just because of who they love.
With Blatter gone, we need to take the first steps to restore faith in football by putting fair play and human rights first.Workers should not die, athletes and fans should not face discrimination, and the privilege of hosting the World Cup should only go to countries that respect human rights for all.
Just last year, the International Olympic Committee faced similar outrage about the Sochi Winter Games. Hundreds of thousands of All Out members spoke out around the world - and we won. After years of work from All Out and other human rights organizations, the IOC changed its host city contract to ensure host cities protect the human rights of all, including lesbian, gay and bi people. Just last week, Kazakhstan scrapped an anti-gay law for fear of losing their upcoming Olympic bid.
Now we need to take this fight to FIFA’s corner and send a message that corruption and discrimination have no place in sport. We need to show that the world is demanding a restructure that will truly fix FIFA and put human rights and respect for all players, fans and employees first.
During his resignation speech, Blatter’s admitted that FIFA needs “profound restructuring.” And according to an important FIFA official “nothing will be off the table” in terms of the changes that could be made at this powerful organization.
But whatever changes are made, we need to make sure that human rights are first on the agenda. 1,200 migrant workers have died in Qatar since World Cup preparations began. And just last weekend, several people were abused and arrested in Russia, just for celebrating Pride.
This has to stop. Global pressure has reached a tipping point and FIFA is listening. Will you ask them to address these human rights abuses before its too late?
Thanks for going All Out,
Andre, Guillaume, Oscar, Pablo, Sarah and the rest of the All Out team.
P.S. FIFA's corruption scandal has cost thousands of lives - this needs to stop. The only way we forced the Olympics to change was by hundreds of thousands of us signing AND sharing with our friends. In moments like these, every single voice makes a difference. Can you take a few minutes to add your name and make sure you get the word out? go.allout.org/en/a/fix-fifa/1/ 
