Agent of Change

In the wake of a World Cup that showed the importance of building stadiums over the needs of the populace, FIFA was encouraged to consider moving the 2018 World Cup out of Russia in the wake of the shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines flight.

They refused with this statement:

The hosting of the FIFA World Cup with the global attention it attracts can be a powerful catalyst for constructive dialogue between people and governments, helping to bring positive social developments.

Behold the positive social developments.

Officials in Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy [ed. the group helping to organize the 2018 World Cup] have been using offices on the 38th and 39th floors of Doha's landmark Al Bidda skyscraper – known as the Tower of Football – which were fitted out by men from Nepal, Sri Lanka and India who say they have not been paid for up to 13 months' work.

I did not realize the reinstitution of slavery was considered a positive social development. But then again, I'm not a FIFA Official getting money in brown envelopes either.

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]