F1 CEO Domenicali Criticized for Lack of Engagement in Human Rights Debate
In a recent House of Lords sportswashing debate, UK peer Paul Scriven criticized F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali for his failure to engage with human rights issues. Scriven, also a vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Democracy and Human Rights in the Gulf, has been vocal about his concerns regarding F1’s activities in Bahrain.
During the debate, Scriven highlighted the case of four protesters who faced severe consequences after staging a protest near the Bahrain circuit during the 2023 grand prix. Despite Domenicali’s assurances that individuals should be allowed to protest without fear of intimidation, these citizens were subjected to harassment, including police raids, summonses, and in one extreme case, torture.
Scriven expressed his frustration at Domenicali’s lack of response to his concerns, accusing the F1 CEO of arrogance and refusing to address the real issues surrounding F1 and human rights abuses. He emphasized that F1’s focus on financial gains from countries with questionable human rights records is damaging the sport’s reputation.
While F1 was the main focus of the debate, Scriven also highlighted the state-backed ownership of Premier League clubs, the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and Saudi Arabia’s involvement in other sports events. He drew attention to the Bahrain sovereign fund’s ownership of McLaren as another example of problematic relationships in sports.
In response to the criticisms, F1 stated that it takes its responsibilities regarding human rights seriously and upholds high ethical standards. The organization emphasized the positive impact sports like Formula 1 can have in promoting unity and shared experiences across cultures.
Summary:
UK peer Paul Scriven has criticized F1 CEO Domenicali for his lack of engagement with human rights issues, particularly regarding F1’s activities in Bahrain. Scriven highlighted the mistreatment of protesters and accused Domenicali of prioritizing financial gains over addressing real issues. F1 defended its stance, stating its commitment to ethical standards and promoting unity through sports.
