“Mänskliga rättigheter? De var inte ens i startelvan…” : En undersökning av hur sportswashing kan bemötas via ett betonande av mänskliga rättigheter.

Sammanfattning: The aim of the bachelor thesis is to explore the use of human rights as a method to counteract the use of sportswashing. Statements made by the Danish and Norwegian Football Associations in connection to the World Cup in Qatar 2022 are analysed. A foundation for the analysing of the material is laid by first exploring the concepts soft power, sportswashing and human rights in relation to sports. The analysis is done by framing the material to look at the essence, cause, and solution of the problem.                              The thesis shows that both the Danish and Norwegian Football Association emphasize the importance of taking responsibility and protect the inherit value of the sport, that being done by critical dialogue and pressure on the decisionmakers within sport, but also using external expertise and the media to highlight the issues. They also point to the importance of co-operation and the need to make sure human rights is fully embraced within their own organization and the grassroots community. The answers found in the thesis gives national sports associations a foundation to challenge sportswashing in sports.