Well, it's happened. Even the iconic FIFA organization is now marked by environmental social strife. Not that the world's pre-eminant soccer organization is upset with changes (in fact, it's not even responsible for the changes). Yet, the recent grumblings of Iranian women and the recent pledges by the South African government is cause for pause in the mighty footie realm.
So, what do I mean?
A recent petition demands that FIFA president, Mr Joseph S. Blatter, put pressure on the Iranian government to allow women into the stadium to watch the world's most international sport. The petition states that women are currently banned from participating (as observors) in Iran's participation in FIFA games -- and this exclusion prevents them from enjoying the inclusion of a culturally relevant past-time.
At present (and as any good theoretically a-political organization would do) FIFA is not weighing in on the debate. Rather, it is stepping back and taking the "we don't influence" politics approach -- an approach that simply does not exist in today's climate.
And speaking of climate -- while FIFA may be reluctant to engage in politics with the Iranian government it cannot avoid this aspect of international sports when dealing with the South African government.
In 2010 South Africa will host the FIFA Soccer World Cup -- an event that draws the attention of billions from all over the world. As a result the South African government has pledged to raise awareness (and standards) on water and energy conservation -- in an effort to green the game.
"We are committed to ensuring that South Africa learns from the Green Goal experience which vastly reduced the environmental impact of the 2006 World Cup in Germany," said Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
Hmmm, footie really is political -- whether the FIFA realize this or not.
For more information on the Iranian petition go to:
http://www.petitiononline.com/FIFAban/petition.html
For more information on FIFA go to:
http://access.fifa.com/en/article/0,0000,110908,00.html
For more information on South Africa's pledge for a green World Cup go to:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200612140740.html
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3 comments:
Hey Romana, it's Adrian. Interesting to find you on the blogosphere.
I agree with your article, but I suspect women in Iran have bigger problems than watching football games.
Who cares. Italy won the world cup.
From: Romana's favorite, soccer-mad, conservative, war-mongering, fellow journalist-even-though-I-hate journalists.
Oh yes. I exist. Confess you have such a friend Romana. And now that I'll found this site, I think I'll make it my premier ball-busting destination.
Seriously, congtratz on all this. Pretty cool. Lose the freakin pink though.
k sent me
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