Abstract
Neutrality is not a neutral word. Users of it must justify its content in order for it to make sense in given situations and contexts. Sport governing bodies (SGBs) have, however, escaped this simple requirement for more than a century. Resorting to the adage that sport and politics don’t mix, and that they therefore have no obligation to state their view on even the gravest of episodes where sport is used for political purposes is no longer justifiable. At the same time, considering the geopolitical landscape of 2022, there is little realism to be found among those who demand that FIFA become a world police of sorts or a global activist carrying the flag of human rights. But what FIFA and other SGBs can do is to assess the use of neutrality anew to strengthen their autonomy and credibility in social issues. This chapter outlines several reasons why the concept of neutrality is a relevant place to start—especially as not taking a stand is also a stand.
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Næss, H.E. (2022). Introduction: The Changing Role of Sport Governing Bodies. In: The Neutrality Paradox in Sport. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-15680-9_1
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