Aline Trede (39) is a football fan and plays in the parliamentary women’s team of FC Helvetas. However, the leader of the Greens has had enough of the ongoing World Cup in Qatar: “Fifa’s ban on ‘One Love’ tapes is absolutely the last straw.”
The Greens are calling for the end of Fifa tax privileges in Switzerland. Today, organizations such as the world football governing body are considered a club and can therefore benefit from tax credits, even if they register a turnover in the billions. The fact that such a global company “enjoys the same tax conditions as a rabbit breeders’ association is outrageous!” the Greens rant.
Tax conditions are “unheard of”
This should be over now. In the winter session starting Monday, the party wants to work in parliament to ensure that FIFA is taxed the same as other companies of its size. “FIFA should no longer be allowed to abuse its status as a ‘non-profit association’ as a tax loophole,” demands Trede. “Because FIFA is just a non-profit organization on paper.”
«Preventing the tiniest sign of solidarity»
The World Cup in Qatar has long caused red heads. The emirate has been criticized for years for its treatment of foreign workers, women and queer people. The dispute over the “One Love” bracelet is now also causing a stir. The world football association FIFA and the host country are still losing their last sympathy.
The captains of European teams wanted to wear a specially designed armband on the field as a sign of diversity and tolerance. These are part of a campaign for inclusion. They are seen as a protest against the laws of World Cup host Qatar, which criminalize homosexuality, among other things. But FIFA did everything it could to prevent the action and threatened sanctions against the players. Until the associations gave up.
The Federal Council has never seen the need for action
For the leader of the Greens, Trede, the fun is finally over: “FIFA again nestles against the Qatari sheikhs and prevents even the smallest sign of solidarity with the LGBTIQ+ community,” she laments.
The FIFA headquarters in Zurich will hardly tremble at the green threat. Because Links-Groen has already made several attempts in the House of Representatives to show the association a yellow card. However, until now, the Federal Council has always acknowledged that no action was needed – despite numerous scandals and corruption cases. Whether a bracelet will make the government reconsider remains to be seen.