Iran has voted to execute 15,000

I wonder if there will be a protest outside the Iranian embassy? I rarely go to London but would go for that if I possibly could. On 21 November, the day of the football match, would be ideal.

Its horrendous.

It’s disgusting. There absolutely should be sanctions levelled on Iran, The UN should be telling them their behaviour is unacceptable.

GrannyGravy13

HettyBetty

Any thoughts on the England football team playing Iran in the World Cup? I know what my thoughts are, would be interested to hear others.

It shouldn’t be in Qatar, I am not watching this World Cup.

Iran shouldn’t be there.

Couldn't agree more- won't be watching either. FIFA is such a fraudulent, shameful organisation, and they were bought.

But honestly, will it affect what is happening in Iran?

We need to do much more than not watching football!

Fleurpepper I agree, boycotting the football is a small thing but I can't imagine anyone with any integrity watching it.

It needs a massive response, from world leaders, and frankly from everyone in the free world. If everyone in the UK wrote to the Iranian embassy would that even stop to make them them think?

If the England team go ahead and play that match they should hang their heads in shame and be shunned when they return.

VioletSky
There are huge sanctions on Iran, but as we know sanctions can always be got round.

HettyBetty

Fleurpepper I agree, boycotting the football is a small thing but I can't imagine anyone with any integrity watching it.

It needs a massive response, from world leaders, and frankly from everyone in the free world. If everyone in the UK wrote to the Iranian embassy would that even stop to make them them think?

If the England team go ahead and play that match they should hang their heads in shame and be shunned when they return.

Agreed. I am not a football lover, but have so many friends and family who are, some of my students too. And they say 'ah well, I am not interested in politics, I want to watch the football, end of...' and I find it so hard to understand this, but don't want to fall out.

Surely England cannot possibly play against Iran Monday week???

Husband loves his football but is boycotting it. England should NOT be there.

Perhaps this is one very small thing we can do- write to newspapers, MPs, the England Football Association and anyone we can think of, and request that England pulls out of the Iran match. And persuade all the football lovers around us to NOT WATCH.

Will it make any difference if people watch?

Will anyone even know how many watched it, outside of the people with devices on their TVs that make up the viewing figures. I won't be watching, but I wouldn't be anyway as I'm not a football fan, so it won't make a difference. I suspect that boycotting watching on TV will be a well-intentioned but futile gesture though.

I don't think boycotting watching it would be as effective as a massive protest against them playing the match at all. It would be a disgrace to go ahead.

If it was my son in that England team I would be utterly ashamed of him.

I am a football lover, I am certain that there are many, many gay players throughout our own leagues who are not “out” and what opportunity for them…..during this World Cup. If of course they too along with the fans truly feel they would like to stand up for diversity.

I agree that the teams should refuse to play Iran, and to go to Qatar, but just turning the TV off isn't going to help at all.

There are no words.
Can I get this straight, who has voted to execute 15000 people? I’m assuming it is Iran, but not sure where the UN comes into this, unless it’s because they allow Iran representatives to sit on the women’s rights committee.

As for the football, I was appalled at the decision to make Qatar the host country. I heard/read/saw (no longer sure where) that a lot of money changed hands to get this decision. I’ll bet it did!

maddyone I think it's indisputable that palms were greased to allow Qatar being awarded the World Cup. They 'guaranteed" they'd have air-conditioned stadia........ what an absolute joke that was. Not a joke for the migrant workers who have endured untold misery and brutality, even unto death. The footballing world should hang its head in shame, which is why I will not watch one second, and sincerely hope England exit the competition at the earliest point. Sorry to the players but I don't think you should be there.

It is horrific.
I also know an Iranian lady , who is more concerned with getting designer labels and missing the servants that she had - now she lives here .

I don't think that she even thinks of people being persecuted for their beliefs in her country .

The Iranian parliament voted for the executions- 227 in favour out of 290.

Iran probably sits on the UN Women's rights committee because it is one of the few muslim Middle Eastern countries where women can be well educated.

Thanks for that information Glorianny, that was exactly what I wanted to know, because I haven’t seen anything being reported about this. Obviously it must have been reported but I haven’t seen it.
I think possibly these people who are more interested in designer clothes than human rights are maybe just reflecting the prevailing culture from Iran. In other words it’s probably best to keep your head down in Iran, don’t be political, don’t make waves, just concern yourself with daily life and nice clothes etc. It may not be the way we think, but it’s dangerous to stand out from the crowd there. I’m sure that’s how I’d behave if I lived there, I’d be too afraid to be noticed.

Rosie I haven’t got the words to explain how I feel about the World Cup being played in Qatar. I certainly don’t want to watch any of it, and I feel strongly that the UK teams should have refused to go there. I think the way football is going in terms of corruption is disgraceful. And I’m disgusted that David Beckham is going to be a reporter/commentator there. Hasn’t he got enough money? He certainly hasn’t got any morals or principles.

maddyone

Thanks for that information Glorianny, that was exactly what I wanted to know, because I haven’t seen anything being reported about this. Obviously it must have been reported but I haven’t seen it.
I think possibly these people who are more interested in designer clothes than human rights are maybe just reflecting the prevailing culture from Iran. In other words it’s probably best to keep your head down in Iran, don’t be political, don’t make waves, just concern yourself with daily life and nice clothes etc. It may not be the way we think, but it’s dangerous to stand out from the crowd there. I’m sure that’s how I’d behave if I lived there, I’d be too afraid to be noticed.

maddyone when the Shah of Persia was in charge in Iran there was a thriving, rich and very westernised group of people living there, particularly in the capital Teheran. A lot of them left when the Ayatollah took charge, but some remained to look after the family interests there. The women wear designer labels under their black robes and hijab.

Doodledog

I agree that the teams should refuse to play Iran, and to go to Qatar, but just turning the TV off isn't going to help at all.

I remember how South AFrica was boycotted for the rugby during Apartheid, and it was part of an effective campaign. But this is a totally different situation.

Perhaps it won't make any difference- but watching would make me feel dirty and somehow condoning.

What a mess - where would you begin? Russia has been excluded from sport over the invasion, but apparently Iran is ok as its only trying to kill its OWN people?! And David Beckham appointed as Ambassador for Qatar, the list just goes on - people in positions of power, celebrities, players etc., they all had the chance to make a stand and they still have time!

I so hope so. We need to put pressure in any way we can.