A red card to human trafficking from football!

The migrant crisis has continued to pose a threat to the world despite global leaders committing to tackle it through legislation, relief and meet ups. Notably, the Mediterranean Sea has stirred conversations due to accidents that have occurred as a result of people trying to cross over to Europe via Libya.

Despite boats capsizing amid a reported slave trade in Libya, it has not deterred migrants’ quest to escape oppression, lack of economic opportunities, conflict and political upheaval in their native countries. This has triggered foreign policy shifts in developed countries, Brexit being a case in point.

Human trafficking has stirred a global conversation around a proliferation of syndicates disguised as agents out to exploit people, and this is resulting in human rights abuses, a problem that has found its way in football. This has profoundly affected the sport’s integrity, and has led to questioning whether ethical standards of safeguarding the game are enforced. FIFA has commenced investigations over an alleged human trafficking case involving an anti-human trafficking charity accused of swindling money with the promise of attaching a Japanese player to a top French club.

Taking many forms in football, the scourge continues to evolve as time goes by. Syndicates masquerading as agents promise desperate players from low income countries of a chance to play in Europe, organising “international youth football tournaments” claiming that scouts from popular clubs will be in the audience as well as calling out for trials promising successful players non-existent benefits

A proper collaborative and multi-sectoral framework will need to be put in place to eradicate the problem. The International Organization for Migration, International Labour Organization, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, European Union, African Union, as well as confederations such as CAF and the world governing body FIFA need a programme that will ensure players’ safety from traffickers .It is important to strengthen the FIFA Transfer matching System (TMS), conduct due diligence during international football events as well as compelling football associations to liaise with Immigration officials to track players’ movements to foreign clubs. These are just a few steps towards reducing human trafficking in football.

Fair play, anti-racism and sustainability should be values that extend outside the four walls of the game by creating an environment free from player exploitation.