Buzz
Recently, the controversial human rights issues surrounding international football (soccer) have come to the forefront, with significant concerns about the upcoming World Cups in Russia and Qatar. However, human rights violations in sports are not as uncommon as they may seem—and soccer isn’t the only sport affected.
10. The Rumble in the Jungle
The Rumble in the Jungle stands as one of the most iconic sporting events in history, with a dominating Muhammad Ali securing a glorious knockout victory over his opponent, George Foreman. The fight has become so legendary that it’s often overlooked that it occurred under the rule of one of the most infamous dictators of the 20th century: Mobutu Sese Seko. Zaire’s corrupt leader was so determined to host the event that he offered a $10 million prize—funded by the plundered wealth of Zaire’s people. Despite this, Mobutu was a close ally of the US, and journalists covering the event ‘did not ask many questions.’
To ensure the event ran smoothly, it’s said that Mobutu even had the city’s most notorious pickpockets and criminals executed. Meanwhile, the country was embroiled in conflict, and the fight took place under the watchful eyes of armed soldiers. The venue itself had previously been used as a prison and torture site, and rumors suggest that they had to scrub it clean of blood before the bout.
In the end, Mobutu’s efforts to use the fight as a means of boosting Zaire’s image fell short. Reports suggest that his officials were enraged by Ali’s televised boast: ‘All you boys who don’t take me seriously, who think Foreman is going to whup me; when you get to Africa Mobutu’s people are going to put you in a pot, cook you, and eat you.’
9. The 1968 Summer Olympics
In 1968, Mexico City was bustling with preparations for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games. However, beneath the surface, tensions were rising. Young Mexicans were growing increasingly frustrated with poverty, corruption, and the oppressive government. The decision to allocate $150 million for the Olympics was the tipping point, sparking protests, many of which demanded the repeal of laws that allowed for the arrest of anyone attending gatherings of more than two people. On October 2, just 10 days before the Olympics were set to begin, 10,000 students gathered in Tlatelolco Square, chanting 'We Don’t Want Olympics, We Want A Revolution!'
The government reacted swiftly and violently. The military surrounded the square and opened fire, while armored vehicles charged into the crowd of students. A subsequent cover-up obscured the exact number of deaths, but it’s evident that the massacre claimed as many as 300 lives. Hundreds more were arrested, imprisoned, and tortured in the aftermath. At the time, the military claimed they only fired after being shot at from the crowd, a version of events now widely questioned.
Despite the bloodshed just miles away, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) refused to move or postpone the Games, arguing that the violence was not directed at the Olympics themselves. As IOC president Avery Brundage had earlier explained: 'If our Games are to be stopped every time politicians violate the laws of humanity, there will never be any international contests.' Brundage, who was infamously called 'Slavery Avery' for his racist views, was far less tolerant when Tommy Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute on the podium later in the Games, even threatening to ban the entire US team if they weren’t sent home immediately.
8. Equatorial Guinea’s African Cups Of Nations
Under the oppressive regime of Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea is notorious for its abysmal human rights record, with those opposing the government often subjected to torture and death. Despite the country’s oil wealth—boasting a GDP per capita of around $25,900—the majority of its citizens survive on less than $2 a day. Meanwhile, the ruling family and their associates have hoarded the wealth, with Obiang’s son reportedly spending $3.2 million on Michael Jackson memorabilia alone. He also recently contemplated purchasing a $380 million yacht, nearly three times the country’s annual health and education budgets combined.
Part of the stolen funds were used to co-host the 2012 African Cup of Nations, one of the most prestigious tournaments in world football. In preparation, the regime invested millions into constructing and refurbishing stadiums (though the exact expenses remain undisclosed). Simultaneously, the government tightened its grip on civil liberties and aggressively targeted foreign reporters attempting to cover anything beyond the event itself.
In an astounding turn of events, Equatorial Guinea was selected to host the tournament once again in 2015 after Morocco withdrew due to Ebola concerns. Despite the Equatoguinean team being temporarily banned for cheating, this was overlooked with diplomacy. The country spent tens of millions building two additional stadiums for the event, and also resorted to arresting political opponents. While the 2022 World Cup in Qatar faced significant international criticism, the Cup of Nations hosted in a nation with an even worse human rights record has drawn surprisingly little global condemnation.
The 1982 African Cup of Nations
Naturally, the Cup of Nations has a history of permitting authoritarian regimes to host the event. A prime example is the 1982 tournament, held in Muammar Gadhafi’s Libya, a country already considered a regional pariah due to its military involvement in Chad. Ironically, Gadhafi had little interest in football and even shut down the Libyan football league from 1979 to 1982. One version of the tale suggests that Gadhafi became irrationally jealous after seeing footballers' names written on a wall in Tripoli. Nevertheless, he agreed to host the 1982 Cup in pursuit of his political goals, still managing to open the tournament with the memorable line: “All you stupid spectators, have your stupid game.”
Sadly, not everyone in Gadhafi’s family shared his disinterest in football. His son, Al-Saadi, was a huge fan and pursued a career as a professional player. Lacking talent didn't stop him—especially with his wealth and his father's military backing. Al-Saadi soon became the star forward in a Libyan league so rigged in his favor that announcers were forbidden from mentioning any other players' names. When teams protested the blatant cheating, they were forced to continue playing under the threat of guns. Al-Saadi’s illustrious career plummeted when he used Libya’s oil wealth to orchestrate a deeply corrupt transfer to Italy’s top division. There, he played for less than 30 minutes over three years, failed a drug test, and was named the worst player in the league’s history. He is currently facing trial in Libya for allegedly murdering a rival footballer.
The 33rd Chess Olympiad
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the president of Russia's Kalmykia Republic, had a deep passion for chess. He loved it so much that he constructed a grand, multimillion-dollar complex known as Chess City, which he unveiled with the 33rd Chess Olympiad in 1998. (Pictured above is the event’s official mascot.) How the financially struggling Kalmykia managed to fund this project remains unclear, and shortly after a local journalist named Larisa Yudina began investigating, she was brutally murdered. Activists protesting the extravagant spending were also targeted, with one leader briefly detained in a psychiatric hospital before being forced to flee the region.
Despite the dark backdrop, the tournament went ahead as planned, with over 1,000 elite chess players ignoring calls to boycott the event in favor of enjoying the lavish treatment provided, including the promise of a thoroughbred Kalmyk horse for every victor. The indulgence came at a significant cost, as reports suggested Ilyumzhinov redirected funds meant for child welfare to complete Chess City in time. The region's decaying infrastructure was left untouched, while roads leading to the venue were specially paved—and off-limits to ordinary Kalmykians who were forbidden to drive on them.
Every Kalmyk organization was required to sponsor a team, which essentially meant emptying government buildings to equip the players' accommodations. The experiences varied: 'The Statistics Committee received Peru. The apartment had been used by construction workers, and it took a lot of work to restore it. As for the local publishing house, they got Tajikistan, and they were satisfied. The Tajiks weren’t accustomed to much comfort, so it was easy to take care of them.' Ilyumzhinov, who remains president of the World Chess Federation, is most well-known for his belief in aliens and his peculiar efforts to mediate peace in conflict zones through chess.
The 1978 World Cup
After a military coup in 1976, Argentina fell under the control of a brutal right-wing junta that murdered thousands of perceived opponents during the ensuing 'Dirty War.' Argentineans suspected of left-wing views were regularly abducted, tortured, and thrown from planes into the ocean. However, none of this deterred FIFA from awarding Argentina the hosting rights for the 1978 World Cup, providing the junta with a much-needed opportunity to garner some positive international publicity.
The junta embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly, hiring an expensive PR firm and even constructing special walls to block visitors' views of the impoverished slums of Buenos Aires. In the lead-up to the tournament, any remaining opposition and potential troublemakers were either kidnapped or executed. Even the event's head organizer, General Omar Actis, was murdered, allegedly due to his objections to the government's extravagant spending.
The tournament itself was far from memorable, with widespread allegations that the junta rigged matches—rumor had it that 35,000 tons of grain and $50 million in credit secured their 6-0 victory over Peru. Despite the junta's brutal actions, only one player, West German icon Paul Breitner, refused to participate on moral grounds. As Argentina’s star forward, Leopoldo Luque, remarked years later: 'With what I know now, I can’t say I’m proud of my victory.'
Dennis Rodman’s All-Stars
At this point, it's almost futile to list the horrific crimes committed by the North Korean government. The country has become synonymous with bleak oppression and cruelty, making it easy to overlook just how truly unbearable life there can be. That’s perhaps the most charitable explanation for former NBA star Dennis Rodman’s actions. Rodman, who has openly stated that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is 'an awesome guy,' has made multiple visits to North Korea and even arranged a game featuring retired NBA stars as a 'birthday gift' for Kim.
Unsurprisingly, the game stirred up considerable controversy. The NBA distanced itself, stating that while 'sports can often be a useful tool for bridging cultural gaps, this is not one of those instances.' Meanwhile, Congressman Eliot Engel called for the 'bizarre and grotesque' tour to be canceled. Rodman, however, seemed unfazed by the idea of organizing a PR spectacle for a dictatorship, claiming: 'I’m not a president, I’m not a politician, I’m not an ambassador. I’m just an athlete and the reason for me to go is to bring peace to the world, that’s it.' According to reports, the North Koreans won the game. Peace, however, remains elusive.
The 2022 Qatar World Cup
The recent arrests and scandal surrounding FIFA, though hardly shocking to anyone familiar with the organization, have nonetheless cast a spotlight on the growing controversy of the 2022 World Cup. For reasons that are still unclear, the tournament was awarded to the small but incredibly wealthy nation of Qatar.
While this decision raised obvious logistical concerns (the tournament will likely have to be scheduled in winter to avoid the oppressive heat), the real issue lies in the treatment of the migrant workers who are constructing the World Cup's infrastructure. In 2013, Qatar’s population numbered two million, but only 10 percent were actual citizens of Qatar. The majority were migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent, drawn in by the promise of higher wages. Unfortunately, these workers are essentially bound to one employer, unable to change jobs or even leave the country without their employer’s permission. They are also prohibited from unionizing. It's clear that this system of forced labor opens the door to widespread abuse.
Many workers are not only confined to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, but an investigation by The Guardian has uncovered a disturbingly high number of deaths attributed to 'cardiac arrest' among Nepalese construction workers, likely due to heatstroke caused by long hours working in the desert. Meanwhile, Qatar has detained human rights researchers investigating these issues. While the increased attention has resulted in some progress, there is still a long way to go before the conditions for Qatar's migrant workers become remotely acceptable.
The 2015 European Games
This week, Azerbaijan will host the inaugural European Games. The multi-sport event, featuring swimming, gymnastics, and athletics, will serve as a mini-Olympics, similar to the older Asian Games. It’s set to be a great event, with one major catch—Azerbaijan is a highly repressive, quasi-dictatorship, ranked 126th globally for corruption and 162nd for press freedom. Another report claims that Azerbaijan is the fifth most censored country in the world.
As expected, the lead-up to the games, which will cost Azerbaijan over $1 billion (the exact cost remains undisclosed, but the stadium alone is valued at a minimum of $600 million), has been marred by rampant repression. Over 40 people have been arrested for investigating corruption related to the event, and an activist advocating for a boycott now faces up to 12 years in prison on blatantly fabricated charges. Just a day before the games began, critical media outlets such as The Guardian and Radio France International were informed that they would be barred from entering Azerbaijan. As Amnesty International noted, 'Azerbaijan wants to hold these games in a criticism-free zone. It has already silenced everyone who speaks out against the government within the country and has now turned into a closed-off state for international human rights groups as well.'
1. The Rebel Tour Of South Africa
By the early 1980s, South African cricket found itself in a self-inflicted crisis. Under the system of apartheid, the country's cricket team had long refused to face non-white teams. In 1969, when England attempted to field a non-white player, Basil d’Oliveira, it led to such an uproar that the entire tour had to be canceled. Meanwhile, opponents of apartheid pushed for a complete boycott of South Africa's sports. In 1970, South Africa was officially banned from international cricket. As their team stagnated without suitable opponents, the South Africans shifted their stance, desperately trying to convince anyone to play against them. In 1982, an unlicensed English team toured, followed by a 'rebel' Sri Lankan team the following year.
Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, the situation was entirely different. The West Indies stood as the undisputed best team in the world, with devastating fast bowlers like Joel Garner and Michael Holding complementing a powerful batting lineup including Desmond Haynes, Gordon Greenidge, and the incredible Viv Richards. Their combination of pace, power, and sheer talent was unprecedented. The West Indies were so dominant that many top-level players couldn’t even secure a place on the team. To make matters worse, financial struggles in cricket meant many players found it hard to make ends meet in the off-season. When the South Africans began offering players $120,000 for a single tour, the temptation proved too great for many to resist.
In 1983, 18 West Indian cricketers agreed to a tour of South Africa. Many of them were players who had struggled to break into the West Indian first team, though the group also featured prominent figures like fast-bowler Colin Croft, wicketkeeper Alvin Kallicharran, and 1979 World Cup hero Collis King. All were granted 'honorary white' status for the tour. It was a decision they would come to regret for the rest of their lives.
Despite the rebels claiming their tour helped break down racial barriers, all 18 cricketers were instantly ostracized in the Caribbean. West Indians were outraged that their sporting icons would collaborate with the apartheid regime for financial gain. The entire squad was banned for life (the ban was eventually lifted in 1989), and most never returned to play cricket at a high level. Shunned wherever they went, several of the rebels had to leave the Caribbean, and at least three suffered severe mental breakdowns. Richard Austin, once one of the most versatile players of his generation, now begs on the streets of Kingston. Meanwhile, the West Indies continued to dominate international cricket until the 1990s, by which time apartheid had ended and South Africa had been reintegrated into world cricket.
