Human Rights, Governance, and Political Influence in Global Football: A New BIC Research Initiative

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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