FRANKFURT: The German DFB has demanded that world football federation FIFA invests more cash in a compensation fund for construction workers in World Cup host Qatar.

The call came from DFB president Bernd Neuendorf at a conference in which he addressed what he considered FIFA’s own responsibility for its World Cup organising client.

Neuendorf said “FIFA has adopted a human rights policy and it expressly states that FIFA will pay compensation where it has taken responsibility for tournaments, for measures it takes. That’s why I would like to draw attention to the fact that you have to live and comply with our own stated principles.”

Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International are demanding that FIFA should pay at least $440m, an amount equal to World Cup prize money.

In London campaigners have criticised the Football Association for the “severe delay” in its statement on human rights in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

On Wednesday the FA launched an anti-discrimination campaign that will feature a OneLove armband.
It has also supported compensation calls.

But Human Rights Watch has questioned the timing of the move.

A spokesperson said: “The English Football Association’s statement is welcome despite the severe delay.

“With just weeks to go before the first football is kicked, it is urgent that all football associations maximise pressure on FIFA and Qatari authorities to commit to and set up a fund that will compensate wage theft, injuries and deaths since they were awarded the hosting of the World Cup in 2010.

“The statement notes that they needed the time to work out what role they needed to play, but we and many others have been calling on them for much longer to step up their support for migrant workers.”

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