News Update – 3 July 2020
A football match in 2030 – a geopolitical competition?
2. Juli 2020
News Update – 10 July 2020
10. Juli 2020
Flares, smoke bombs, racist banners and social stupidity mar Bulgarian Cup final
Bulgarian football fans violated social distancing rules in the domestic cup final which Lokomotiv Plovdiv won for a second consecutive time by defeating CSKA Sofia from the penalty spot. The final itself won’t live long in the memory with both teams playing out a goalless stalemate before Plovdiv won 5-2 on penalties. (Inside World Football)
Sport & Rights Alliance: IOC should uphold human rights
The Sport & Rights Alliance (SRA) released a statement on July 1 saying that planning for the 2022 Olympics needs to address key human rights issues. As a direct response to the Sustainability Plan of the IOC from May of this year, the SRA argues that the document remains silent on human rights, labor standards, freedom of expression and association, LGBTI rights, media and internet freedom, rights to peaceful assembly and of association, transparency and anti-corruption. (PRESFUL)
Saudi takeover of Newcastle United FC scrutinised in parliament
English Premier League bosses have been forced to deny claims that the British government has put pressure on them to approve Saudi Arabia’s £300 million ($373) takeover of Newcastle United Football Club, as scrutiny of the controversial purchase intensifies. The gulf state and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), controlled by the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, are raising questions around the world regarding human rights abuses. (Middle East Monitor)
U.S. Olympians call for abolition of rule prohibiting protest
In a letter sent last Saturday to the IOC and International Paralympic Committee and co-signed by iconic former athlete and activist John Carlos (Black power protest during the Olympics 1968), the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s Athletes Advisory Committee denounced Rule 50 as “the oppression of athletes” and called for a new policy granting greater rights of expression. Free speech is an essential human right that can't be denied by a major sporting federation. (Washington Post)
Sports have a problem with painkillers
During yesterday's webinar, organized by the green party of Germany and the research team of "Pillenkick" [kick on pills, see English article], learnings of the current debate on the usage of pain killers have been discussed controversially. Coaches and doctors that put success and profit over athletes as well as the heroic coverage of news media have created a dangerous mixture. Athletes who play through injuries are advertised as 'gladiators' while risking their current career and future health. (RBB24
Author: Anton Klischewski
The author holds a M.Sc. in sports management from the University of Bordeaux. He critically analyses and questions the power of sport and its impact
on the economical, ecological and social environment.
