Football in Qatar

On a lighter note I believe an unofficial pact was made between England and America that the losing side would get to keep James Cordon. Given that match was a draw I think many of us here in England, apart from restaurant staff would not want to see him being dropped off mid Atlantic, would be magnanimous enough to gift him to the US in perpetuity. No you don't have to thank us, he's yours enjoy! Would you like Boris back as well on a 2 for the price of one basis, after all he was born in the US

Last night I watched the film Kick Back. It’s the story of the wonderful English journalist, Andrew Jennings.
He spent 20 years trying to uncover the corruption in FIFA.
He finally did it.
Qatar knew in 1999 that they were going to have the World Cup in their country.
I wonder if many Australians know that their country gave FIFA $43 million for the privilege not knowing that it was already decided.

If every country had refused to go then that would be more effective than all the virtual signaling and posturing which just try to excuse people for being there. Remember when sports were boycotted in South Africa over apartheid? People stood up and said no we are not having anything to do with this.

I agree Avalon. I’m sure the Qatar authorities won’t care about teams not singing national anthems, covering their mouths etc. They will see the tournament as a success simply because teams have turned up to play. Apartheid in SA was, quite rightly, seen as an infringement of human rights and therefore SA was boycotted by the world of sport. The same principle should have been applied to Qatar.

growstuff

GrannyGravy13

Definitely will not watch any match that Iran is playing including England V Iran on Monday.

We have several friends who always go to the World Cup none are attending this year.

Many migrant workers have lost their lives building the eight stadiums being used along with appalling living conditions and pay.

The Iranian team has been extremely brave, including not singing their national anthem. Did you see the televised speech the captain gave?

Yes I posted upthread how brave the Iranian Team were, and that I hoped there will not be any repercussions for them or their families.

GrannyGravy13

Definitely will not watch any match that Iran is playing including England V Iran on Monday.

We have several friends who always go to the World Cup none are attending this year.

Many migrant workers have lost their lives building the eight stadiums being used along with appalling living conditions and pay.

The Iranian team has been extremely brave, including not singing their national anthem. Did you see the televised speech the captain gave?

We were talking with our daughter today and saying how boring it is to watch soccer. We knew her husband likes watching and she said that she does, too. This will be a discussion topic at Thanksgiving tomorrow with our sons and their wives.

Nothing to say about Football except it is everywhere and taking the focus off what should be the most important thing in the world at the moment The Indonesian Earthquake, with all its aftershocks and the implications for the poor people.

nanna8

MerylStreep

nana8
The British aren’t exactly virtuous, come to that
Glasshouse’s spring to mind. At least we haven’t tried to wipe out our own citizens.

But that was the British first settlers. It was disgraceful. Then there was Ireland,, Scotland , not to mention the British slave trade.

The Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French etc as well as the British .....
I could go on but there's no point dragging up past wrongs because no-one would be allowed to participate in sport.

If every country had refused to go then that would be more effective than all the virtual signaling and posturing which just try to excuse people for being there. Remember when sports were boycotted in South Africa over apartheid? People stood up and said no we are not having anything to do with this.

MerylStreep

nana8
The British aren’t exactly virtuous, come to that
Glasshouse’s spring to mind. At least we haven’t tried to wipe out our own citizens.

But that was the British first settlers. It was disgraceful. Then there was Ireland,, Scotland , not to mention the British slave trade.

I too was immensely impressed by watching the Iranian Players with their lips clamped firmly shut. One or two I thought looked afraid, the rest there was determination on their faces.

I relation to your post VioletSky it does seem hopeless but every little helps. I hope we will see more pointed actions at the tournament.

Yes, soccer's popularity is growing here. American football can be very dangerous because of brain injuries, but it is very exciting to watch when the score is close. Our city now has a soccer team and I think we should go to a game sometime but DH still doesn't want to be in a crowd because of Covid. I love watching professional baseball, basketball, and ice hockey but not water polo.

Mom3

I live in the United States and I, my DH, and adult children have never understood the appeal of soccer. To us "football" means American football which, to us, is much more exciting. I think soccer is popular worldwide because all that's needed is a ball. Kids living in poverty can enjoy it.

My American granddaughter plays in a school ‘soccer’ team. She’s been playing for about four years now, in two different states, and they always have a full programme of matches, so there must be plenty of others. She’s a bit of a whizz kid at it!

I couldn't remember the other reason, Smileless but can remember that it wasn't that long ago it was finally abolished.

piracy with violence
Goodness!

Yes that's right Callistemon I should have expanded my post beyond saying 'capital punishment for murder'. As you say up to 1998 it was still legal for treason and for piracy with violence.

Smileless2012

The last executions in the UK were in 1964. Capital punishment for murder was suspended in 1965 before being abolished in 1969; 1973 in Northern Ireland.

It was only with the Human Rights Act coming into force in 1998 that the death penalty was banned under UK law in all circumstances

The UK is a member state of the Council of Europe which drafted the European Convention on Human Rights in 1950. The Council of Europe has made abolition of the death penalty a prerequisite of membership. As a result, nobody has been executed in any of the Council of Europe’s member states since 1997

It was still legal (although never enforced) for certain crimes, treason being one, until 1998.

The last executions in the UK were in 1964. Capital punishment for murder was suspended in 1965 before being abolished in 1969; 1973 in Northern Ireland.

Mom3

I live in the United States and I, my DH, and adult children have never understood the appeal of soccer. To us "football" means American football which, to us, is much more exciting. I think soccer is popular worldwide because all that's needed is a ball. Kids living in poverty can enjoy it.

Just watching the USA and Wales game now, the popularity in the US for soccer has grown loads over the years.
Yeah, no need for tons of protective gear so anyone including small kids in the park can play.

Mom3

I live in the United States and I, my DH, and adult children have never understood the appeal of soccer. To us "football" means American football which, to us, is much more exciting. I think soccer is popular worldwide because all that's needed is a ball. Kids living in poverty can enjoy it.

We do play American football in the UK, Mom3, I think there is a league too.

It always looks quite dangerous with all that padding and helmets!
Dare I say it is played by men with oddly shaped balls. Like rugby 🏈🏉

I don’t think that Americans have embraced soccer in the same way that the rest of the world has Mom3, who knows why - but the late great Bill Shankly summed it up for the hundreds of millions of supporters worldwide.

‘Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that.’

VioletSky

I don't like it no and I don't like a lot of countries being allowed into sporting events or being traded with.

But what worries me, is what would happen, should countries find themselves ostracised completely, to their people and would it be worse?

Can we influence them in a more positive direction with friendly terms?

The way women are treated in some parts of the world is horrific. Sanctions should be imposed where women are still fighting for rights but we can't have Sanctions without friendly terms.

I don't know, I just don't know how we ever fix this

I don't know, I just don't know how we ever fix this

I don't think we can, Violetsky. We may try but look what happens if we intervene then leave.

We can only hope (and pray if so inclined) that the people of these countries themselves can bring about change.

We can only lead by example but change only came about in this country relatively recently. It's not that long ago, relatively speaking, that homosexuality was decriminalised in the UK.
The death penalty was only finally abolished in 1998 in the UK.

I live in the United States and I, my DH, and adult children have never understood the appeal of soccer. To us "football" means American football which, to us, is much more exciting. I think soccer is popular worldwide because all that's needed is a ball. Kids living in poverty can enjoy it.

Casdon

MayBee70

Grantanow

It's all about money. Football is a business and investors and players make big money. Lots of money for various 'ambassadors'. Not surprising UK teams won't be wearing the One Love armband as it might cut them off from making money. Qatar is a big investor in the UK so our government won't want to upset the Qatar big wigs. End of story.

I donty think it’s about the money: it’s the yellow card threat that’s caused the problem. FIFA are a disgrace.

I don’t think it’s about the money, it’s about the game - teams want to do the best they can because it matters to them and their millions of followers.

FIFA has a lot to answer for. Awarding the tournament to Qatar then announcing just before england - v Iran that any player wearing the One Love armband would get a yellow card. They left the players with no option.
I switched on part way through so missed the Iranian team not singing it’s anthem. Very brave.

Smileless2012

Thanks Casdon, let's hope he doesn't get a yellow card for that one.

I bet there was some research into the wording, surely nobody could object to such a generic message. Good for Harry Kane for wearing it.

Thanks Casdon, let's hope he doesn't get a yellow card for that one.