FIFA mulls Bahrain expulsion over tortured and detained athletes

Human Rights First Urges FIFA, U.S. World Cup Team to Condemn Bahrain’s Attack on Athletes
For Immediate Release: July 12, 2011

Washington, D.C.— In anticipation of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinals game, when the U.S. Women’s soccer team will take on France, Human Rights First calls on the members of the U.S. women’s world cup team and the international sports community at large to condemn Bahrain’s attack against its own athletes. Several Bahraini soccer players, including stars from the national team, were among those arrested for their participation in pro-reform protests in March. Many are now reporting that they were humiliated and tortured while in prison.

These reports of torture and intimidation against soccer players are emerging as the Bahraini government is holding a widely-criticized national dialogue with civil society to promote reconciliation and reform. “At a time when unity as a country is being emphasized by the Bahraini government as part of national dialogue, the attack against athletes undermines any notion of national unity,” said Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley, who left Bahrain today after a one week visit. …more