June 19, 2019
According to the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, sports are not immune to the sale and exploitation of children. There have been cases of large-scale sexual abuse of children within gymnastics, football and other sports. Moreover, there are several practices that can amount to the sale of children specifically in the context of transfers.
Young athletes, mainly young footballers from Africa, are sold to clubs in the developed world.
An important aspect, in particular in relation to sports, is that child labour may seriously affect children’s education.