Spain’s leading left-wing parties Podemos and Sumar have called for Morocco to be stripped of its role as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup following the migrant crisis in Ceuta.
The demands come after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave last week, prompting accusations that Rabat had relaxed border controls.
Podemos co-spokesman Pablo Fernandez said Morocco should be removed as a tournament host, describing the country as a ‘dictatorship’ that ‘attacks Spain’s sovereignty’.
He argued Spain should only stage the tournament alongside Portugal and said Morocco should not even be allowed to compete in the World Cup, adding that ‘all dictatorships’ should be excluded.
Fernandez also accused Morocco of failing to respect human rights and blamed Rabat for what he described as a politically orchestrated operation against Spain during the Ceuta crisis.
Sumar wants Congress to review co-hosting agreement
The proposal has also been backed by Sumar, the junior partner in Spain’s coalition government.
Its MP Nahuel Gonzalez has tabled a motion in Congress urging the Spanish government to review whether the country should continue co-hosting the tournament with Morocco.
The proposal calls on the government to examine the issue together with FIFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Portugal.
‘Football cannot be used to whitewash everything,’ the motion states.
It argues that the current co-hosting model should be reassessed in light of the recent events in Ceuta, previous criticism from the European Parliament and the human rights commitments expected of World Cup hosts.
If FIFA refuses to reconsider the arrangement, Sumar says the Spanish government should examine alternative options and ‘act consistently with the democratic and human rights principles’ underpinning Spain’s foreign policy.
Calls for human rights review
The motion also asks the RFEF to request an independent, public assessment of human rights risks in all host countries and to establish ongoing monitoring throughout preparations for the tournament.
It further urges the Spanish government to present Congress with a report within six months outlining the implications of continuing the current co-hosting model, the public funds committed to the event and any possible alternatives.
Sumar is also calling for FIFA to strengthen its bidding rules by introducing permanent human rights clauses that would allow host nations to lose tournament hosting rights in cases of serious violations.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco were awarded the right to jointly host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with the opening matches set to take place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark the tournament’s centenary.
