A coalition of human rights groups and trade unions has written to FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his three rivals for the body's presidency "urging them to address issues surrounding human rights, migrant workers and corruption at World Cups," according to Owen Gibson of the London GUARDIAN. A questionnaire sent to the four candidates -- Blatter, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, former Portuguese int'l Luís Figo and Dutch FA President Michael van Praag -- called on them to "address the issues in their first 100 days, particularly as they relate to the next two tournaments" in Russia and Qatar. All four candidates were "asked whether they will use their positions to exert pressure on the Qatari authorities to bring the country’s labour laws in line" with int'l standards and "reform the kafala system that ties workers to their employer and prevents them leaving the country without permission." The Sports & Rights Alliance, which includes Amnesty Int'l, Human Rights Watch, the Int'l Trade Union Confederation, Terre des Hommes and Transparency Int'l, also said that Russia’s "'appalling record' on gay rights, environmental protection and freedom of expression remained a 'real concern' in the runup to the 2018 tournament." Blatter met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi on Monday and "reiterated his support for Russia's right to host the World Cup" (GUARDIAN, 4/21).
