Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley teamed
up with Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Mark Takano (D-CA-41), and
Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15)—co-chairs of the Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality
Caucus—to lead 30 lawmakers in a bicameral letter to FIFA President, Gianni
Infantino, expressing outrage over the association’s decision to censor support
for LGBTQ+ rights by fans and players at the 2022 World Cup.
“We write today with concern regarding FIFA’s decision to
penalize players in the 2022 World Cup for wearing ‘OneLove’ armbands in
support of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as reports that spectators wearing
clothing in support of the LGBTQ+ community faced confrontation from officials
at events,” wrote the lawmakers.“It is our understanding that team captains from several
European teams competing in the World Cup intended to wear OneLove armbands as
a signal of support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity, but were instructed by
FIFA that doing so would result in the issuance of in-game sanctions (e.g.
yellow cards),” they continued. “This is in contrast to the typical
monetary fine issued for uniform violations, and ultimately deterred players
from adorning their uniforms with the armbands.”
The lawmakers’ letter expresses deep concerns with the
unprecedented actions taken by FIFA to silence players in their attempt to
advocate for LGBTQ+ rights around the globe.
“[T]hese actions stand in stark contrast to FIFA’s own
commitments. FIFA has promoted its own ‘No Discrimination’ campaign, featuring
different captains’ armbands, and released a statement indicating that, ‘FIFA
is an inclusive organization and supports all legitimate causes, such as ‘One
Love’,’” the lawmakers continued. “If FIFA believes itself to be an
inclusive organization that supports causes like the OneLove movement, then its
erasure of the movement’s armbands and other LGBTQ+ symbols and apparel in
support of its own campaign runs counter to its public attestations about the
values it espouses.”
In order to meaningfully reaffirm the principle that
harassment and discrimination are not tolerated at FIFA sanctioned
events—including the next World Cup set to be held jointly in North America,
including the United States, and the Women’s World Cup kicking off in less than
a year—the lawmakers specifically ask the following:
- To what extent will FIFA consider government’s track record on LGBTQ+ rights
when determining where to host future World Cups? - Will FIFA commit to consistent future policies with respect to players’
uniforms; fans’ apparel, signs, and symbols; and other forms of expression
that allows for individuals to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+
community and other marginalized groups? - Will FIFA commit to reviewing its protocols for how it engages with host
country governments?
In addition to Merkley the letter is cosigned by Senators
Edward, J. Markey (D-MA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth
Warren (D-MA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Jack Reed (D-RI),
Cory Booker (D-NJ)
In addition to Pocan, Takano, and Torres, the letter is
cosigned by Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03),
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), David Cicilline
(D-RI-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Sharice Davids
(D-KS-03), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Jerry Nadler
(D-NY-10), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Angie Craig
(D-MN-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06)
This letter is supported by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
Full text of the letter can be found here
and follows below:
Dear Mr. Infantino:
We write today with concern regarding FIFA’s decision to
penalize players in the 2022 World Cup for wearing “OneLove” armbands in
support of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as reports that spectators wearing
clothing in support of the LGBTQ+ community faced confrontation from officials
at events.
It is our understanding that team captains from several
European teams competing in the World Cup intended to wear OneLove armbands as
a signal of support for LGBTQ+ inclusion and diversity, but were instructed by
FIFA that doing so would result in the issuance of in-game sanctions (e.g.
yellow cards). This is in contrast to the typical monetary fine issued for
uniform violations, and ultimately deterred players from adorning their
uniforms with the armbands. We write to express our deep concern with these
unprecedented actions taken by FIFA to silence players in their attempt to
advocate for the worthy and legitimate cause of LGBTQ+ rights.
Soccer is often called the universal language, but FIFA’s
position undermines the sport’s power of transcending divisions and bringing
people together. The association’s practices have not been limited to the
players, either. We are also concerned about reports that spectators wearing
apparel or bearing symbols that show support for the LGBTQ+ community have been
detained, harassed, denied entry to events, or have had their apparel or
possessions confiscated. These actions have culminated in a message to LGBTQ+
people that neither they nor their allies are welcome at the World Cup,
contrary to several public statements made about the tournament.
Moreover, these actions stand in stark contrast to FIFA’s
own commitments. FIFA has promoted its own “No Discrimination” campaign,
featuring different captains’ armbands, and released a statement indicating
that, “FIFA is an inclusive organization and supports all legitimate causes,
such as ‘One Love’.” If FIFA believes itself to be an inclusive organization
that supports causes like the OneLove movement, then its erasure of the
movement’s armbands and other LGBTQ+ symbols and apparel in support of its own
campaign runs counter to its public attestations about the values it espouses.
Sports are about belonging, well-being, and affirming one’s
place amongst their peers and fellow fans. Indeed, with the 2026 World Cup set
to be hosted by in North America—including 60 matches set to be played in the
United States—we cannot remain silent while this discrimination continues.
Every person—regardless of who they are or whom they love—has the right to be
treated with decency and respect, and to live their life free from fear of
discrimination. No one should be denied the opportunity to participate in daily
life or their love of a sport because of who they are, and no one should be
silenced for standing up for those rights.
We implore FIFA to meaningfully reaffirm the principle that
harassment and discrimination are not tolerated at their sanctioned events,
consistent with the association’s own campaign and public statements.
Specifically, we ask:
- To what extent will FIFA consider government’s track record on LGBTQ+ rights
when determining where to host future World Cups? - Will FIFA commit to consistent future policies with respect to players’
uniforms; fans’ apparel, signs, and symbols; and other forms of expression
that allows for individuals to demonstrate support for the LGBTQ+
community and other marginalized groups? - Will FIFA commit to reviewing its protocols for how it engages with host
country governments?
As the most watched sporting event in the world, the World
Cup has a responsibility to adhere to international rights and norms regarding
freedom of expression. And with the next World Cup taking place in the United
States as well as in Mexico and Canada, as well as the 2023 Women’s World Cup
set to begin in just over 200 days, we will be watching closely to ensure that
the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups are treated with respect.
We look forward to your prompt response and assurances that
future FIFA events are inclusive to all.
Sincerely,
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