FIFA wins legal case over picking Qatar as World Cup host

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FIFA. (Steffen Schmidt/AP)

ZURICH — FIFA has defeated a legal challenge by trade union groups over picking Qatar as the 2022 World Cup host.

FIFA says the Commercial Court in Zurich rejected a case filed by labour activists in the Netherlands and Bangladesh on behalf of a Bangladeshi construction worker employed on a World Cup project.

The case claimed FIFA acted wrongfully in choosing Qatar without demanding reform of labour laws, and should be held liable for abuses.

Labour and human rights groups have campaigned against a system for employing hundreds of thousands of migrant workers in the gas-rich emirate.

FIFA says it "welcomes the decision" of the courts, and "will continue to urge the Qatari authorities to ensure safe and decent working conditions for construction workers."

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