Sport, Corruption and Human Rights: the Case of FIFA

Kylea Shropshire

Master's thesis

Abstract:

This master thesis dissertation analyzes what kind of humanitarian issues can arise when international sporting events, such as the World Cup, are connected with powerful, global sporting organizations such as FIFA. It asks whether or not FIFA takes into consideration the positive and negative consequences that such an event might have on human rights? Or if FIFA chooses to ignore these rights in preference of organizational gain? For my investigation I decided to choose FIFA because it is one of the most important sports organizations in the world and wields a great deal of power thanks to its corporate partners and football's worldwide appeal. My hypothesis is simple: Decisions made by FIFA are heavily influenced by endemic corruption throughout the organization that does not prioritize citizen rights or human rights development more generally.

Abstract:

This master thesis dissertation analyzes what kind of humanitarian issues can arise when international sporting events, such as the World Cup, are connected with powerful, global sporting organizations such as FIFA. It asks whether or not FIFA takes into consideration the positive and negative consequences that such an event might have on human rights? Or if FIFA chooses to ignore these rights in preference of organizational gain? For my investigation I decided to choose FIFA because it is one of the most important sports organizations in the world and wields a great deal of power thanks to its corporate partners and football's worldwide appeal. My hypothesis is simple: Decisions made by FIFA are heavily influenced by endemic corruption throughout the organization that does not prioritize citizen rights or human rights development more generally.

Keywords

World Cup, FIFA, Corruption, Sport, Human Rights, Mega Sporting Events

Keywords

Mega Sporting Events, Football, Corruption, FIFA, Human Rights, World Cup

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 26. 6. 2014

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 8. 9. 2015
• Supervisor: Vladimíra Dvořáková
• Reader: Petr Vymětal

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme / field:
Mezinárodní ekonomické vztahy / International and Diplomatic Studies