The Brussels International Center for Research (BIC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new research initiative dedicated to examining the growing intersection between football, human rights, governance, and geopolitical influence within the global sports ecosystem.

As football has evolved into one of the world's most influential social, economic, and political platforms, major tournaments, football institutions, club ownership structures, and investment patterns increasingly shape international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and geopolitical dynamics. At the same time, growing concerns have emerged regarding transparency, accountability, democratic governance, and the protection of human rights across the global football landscape.

BIC brings to this initiative its established expertise in tracking how geopolitical actors use institutional frameworks to project influence and manage international reputation. Football is a natural extension of that analytical lens. Building on existing human rights frameworks and prior work by civil society researchers, BIC will undertake a research programme assessing how football governance structures and major sporting events align with internationally recognized principles of human rights, democratic accountability, integrity, transparency, and ethical governance.

A central component of this initiative is the development of a dedicated reference framework and research index. The index will provide an evidence-based methodology for measuring human rights and governance-related indicators across football institutions, competitions, tournaments, and relevant stakeholders, covering areas including:

• Human rights compliance and safeguards in football governance;
• Transparency and accountability mechanisms within football institutions;
• Democratic participation and stakeholder engagement;
• Labour rights and protections associated with major tournaments and sporting events;
• Ethical governance and institutional integrity;
• Risks associated with sport-washing and the political instrumentalization of football;
• Alignment with international standards, good governance principles, and fundamental rights.

Through this initiative, BIC will contribute independent, data-driven analysis to international policy discussions on the future governance of global football. The research is designed to serve policymakers, civil society organizations, sports governing bodies, and journalists, providing a common evidence base for a debate that too often lacks one.

The Center believes that football's global influence carries corresponding responsibilities. As debates surrounding governance, human rights, and the political uses of sport continue to intensify, independent research and objective measurement tools are essential for promoting transparency, safeguarding integrity, and ensuring that the world's most popular sport remains aligned with universal values of human dignity, accountability, fairness, and respect for fundamental rights.

The Brussels International Center had planned to organize an event on this topic on 10 June 2026 at the European Parliament. However, due to logistical constraints affecting the Parliament’s scheduling and operational arrangements, the event has been postponed to September 2026.

We remain committed to delivering this important discussion and will share further details regarding the updated date, agenda, and participation arrangements in due course.

BIC welcomes collaboration from experts, institutions, and civil society partners working in this space. For more information or to discuss research partnership opportunities, contact BIC at info@bic-rhr.com

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The Brussels International Center (BIC) calls on the European Union to engage more actively, directly, and strategically in the security of the Gulf and in the protection of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

More than ever, Europe’s energy security, economic stability, and geopolitical interests have proved deeply connected to the stability of the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz constitutes one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant share of global energy supplies and commercial trade transit daily. The current disruption to navigation in the Strait carries immediate consequences for European economies, energy markets, supply chains, and political stability.

In the face of growing regional tensions and repeated disruptions of maritime security, the European Union can no longer remain a secondary actor in Gulf security affairs. Europe has a direct strategic interest in ensuring the continued openness, stability, and security of maritime routes in the Gulf.

The BIC therefore supports stronger and more operational Europe–Gulf security cooperation aimed at guaranteeing the continued opening, security, and freedom of navigation of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Union must take a more active role alongside Gulf partners in reopening the Strait to international trade and energy flows, preventing any future disruption to maritime transit, and protecting critical shipping routes and infrastructure from further escalation or coercion.

A secure Gulf is not only a regional necessity; it is a fundamental European interest. The European Union must recognize that the protection of the Strait of Hormuz and the broader security of the Gulf are inseparable from Europe’s own energy resilience, economic security, and geopolitical credibility.

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Europe Day Relaunch: BIC Calls on European Leaders to End Complicity in Gaza Massacres

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Brussels, Belgium - 9 May 2025 - BIC intends to make new changes to the Gaza Letter Campaign

Since October 2023, more than 52,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, including thousands of children, many of whom remain unidentified or have disappeared beneath the rubble. Just a few days ago, Israeli forces intensified their assault, killing 15 humanitarian workers in Rafah, in addition to their ongoing attacks on hospitals, caregivers, support staff, and paramedics in transit. Meanwhile, the strangulation of humanitarian aid continues, with the blockade plunging the region into an artificially created void, even forcing World Central Kitchen to shut down due to a lack of supplies and equipment.

Several international bodies, including United Nations agencies, are joining the ongoing reconstruction efforts and continue to call for peace and long-term stability in the region. Despite this, Israel nonetheless closed six United Nations schools in annexed East Jerusalem, three months after the implementation of a law banning the activities of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). This further reduces the aid available to Palestinians.

Despite growing international outrage and widespread public mobilization across Europe, European leaders have still not taken decisive action. BIC is therefore reactivating this citizen campaign to empower individuals, civil society, and the private sector to put direct pressure on elected officials and European decision-makers to break the silence and take urgent action.

A Renewed Europe-Wide Campaign

As part of the campaign, BIC previously published a template letter and will continue to update it often. An updated contact list of key European political leaders and advisers is also provided by the Center and wil be updated regulary.

European citizens will be encouraged to email their representatives to demand a clear stance on the crisis and meaningful policy responses.The campaign specifically calls on European leaders to:

1. Publicly condemn ongoing war crimes committed in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, including indiscriminate bombings and settler violence.
2. Support a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, in line with recent restrictions announced by Spain, France, and Italy.
3. Suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and apply targeted economic sanctions, following the lead of countries like Ireland and Spain.

This re-launch on Europe Day is meant to underscore the widening gap between Europe’s stated values -peace, dignity, and the rule of law- and the ongoing political complicity in a campaign that has destroyed entire communities and infrastructure in Gaza. BIC affirms that a just and sustainable peace begins with accountability, respect for international law, and the protection of civilian life.

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