Captain courage. On the eve of going to Lyon to challenge France there as part of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar (8:45 p.m.), Finland's captain Tim Sparv used his influence to denounce the working conditions of workers on construction sites from the gas emirate, which will host the competition in less than a year and a half. In a long column published on the North American media The Players' Tribune, the experienced midfielder of the Hiboux-Grands Ducs (34) took up his pen to evoke a subject that was insufficiently publicized for his liking, while 6,500 workers migrants have been killed on construction sites since the World Cup was awarded in 2010, according to information from the
Guardian.
"
I'm probably writing these lines years too late ... We might even have saved lives,
”wonders the Helsinki player.
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"
I address myself to all those who care about human rights
," he begins.
I ask you to continue to talk about the World Cup in Qatar, to initiate the debates. Continue to show your support for immigrant workers. An article, a blog, a tweet… Raise your voice and put pressure on Qatar and Fifa. Because it works, I can assure you, these workers appreciate it.
The Finnish number 14 claims to have been in contact with dozens of workers, experts and lawyers. All of this over the past two and a half years spent “
getting personal information on what is happening in Qatar
”. Sparv locates the starting point for this sudden interest - "
I was in denial for years
"- when his teammate and friend Riku Riski did not want to go to a winter camp in Qatar in January 2019 for" ethical reasons ".
Scandinavian football at the top of the dispute
Faced with a Nordic press quick to denounce the situation, Sparv and its partners are regularly questioned on the issue and are invited "
to respond to sensitive subjects such as diplomats or politicians
". Although already experienced, the Finnish captain takes reality head on. And then decides to document it. He turned to FIFPro, which enabled him to meet workers in Qatar by video. “
It totally opened my eyes. Qatar communicates on the fact that it has improved its labor law and reading that, we say to ourselves 'Yupi'. But in this meeting, it became very clear that these laws are not being implemented correctly. Workers demand good working conditions with the guarantee that this will continue beyond 2022
."
Sparv recalls a particularly touching discussion with a worker in Qatar, who portrayed physical and moral violence to her coupled with an elite and corrupt police.
The Finn notes that a demining work has started all the same in this direction on the side of FIFA: “
Many people who voted for Qatar, those who gave or received bribes, were put outside
.
FIFA has announced that the protection of human rights and the environment will be factored into the process of awarding the 2026 World Cup. It looks like they are cleaning up everything.
I hope this is the case.
"
"
Some players are in great danger if they bring up this kind of subject
"
However, this speech is not an isolated case. While Finland has managed an encouraging start to the qualifying campaign (second in the group behind France) after participating in its first international competition (Euro), the Finnish captain knows the risks. Just like the Norwegian players, pioneers in the challenge of working conditions in Qatar. Last week, Erling Haaland and his family once again denounced the situation by deploying a banner in favor of respect for Human Rights. Five Nordic Federations have also published two open letters to FIFA asking the international body to seriously consider the humanitarian situation in Qatar. “
What is happening in Qatar is not even a political issue. This ishumanitarian order
», Summarizes Sparv.
“Fair play to immigrant workers”: the banner deployed by the Norwegians last week.
Stian Lysberg Solum / REUTERS
Unlike some Norwegians, supporters of a boycott, the Finn thinks that "
boycott is not the solution for the moment
."
The midfielder with 82 selections also knows the dangers faced by players who are much more publicized than him, "
an anonymous from Finland
".
“
I will always respect the silence of some footballers on these issues.
Part of the dressing room will always want to focus solely on football.
Not to mention the consequences.
We are aware that a player can be a danger by evoking the policies of certain countries.
This can range from owner to sponsor, whose interests may be at risk.
I know some players who know they are in great danger if they talk about this kind of subject.
They are afraid.
"
The player, with the impeccable appearance of
Viking
, simply invites his colleagues to reflect on these questions: "
I encourage each of the players involved in these qualifiers for the world to at least think about the way in which the workers are treated, to the how their families are affected.
Let us not forget the privilege we have to be players, and the power of our communication space
. ”