Human Lives Human Rights: Saudi Arabia is under scrutiny for detaining 12 football fans who were captured chanting a traditional song commemorating the birth of Imam Ali, a significant figure in Shia Islam, during a football match in January 2024. The fans, members of the Al Safa Football Club supporters’ association, are set to stand trial on March 28, potentially facing up to five years in prison for their actions, which were also shared on social media.
Human rights advocates have condemned the arrests, highlighting the crackdown on freedom of expression amidst Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance its global image through sports. They argue that the fans were simply exercising their right to express their religious heritage and call for their immediate release.
The charges against the fans are based on the Kingdom’s Anti-Cybercrime Law, which prohibits content deemed to impact public order, religious values, morals, or privacy online. Additionally, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has imposed sanctions on the Al Safa Football Club, fining them and restricting fan attendance at future matches.
Civil society organizations have joined in condemning the arrests, emphasizing the broader pattern of repression in Saudi Arabia, particularly against minority groups like the Shia Muslim community. The country’s penal code and legal framework have been criticized for restricting freedom of religion and expression, with authorities frequently using vaguely defined laws to suppress dissent.
As Saudi Arabia seeks to host the 2034 World Cup, observers are closely watching how the government handles cases like these, which could have implications for the country’s bid and its international reputation. The arrests highlight the risks faced by individuals who express themselves in a manner deemed contrary to government policies, underscoring the ongoing challenges to freedom of expression and association in the kingdom.
